T  i^ 


NATIONAL  CAPITAL 


F»ASX    AND     PRKSKNT. 


THE   STORY  OF   ITS   SETTLEMENT,  PROGRESS, 
AND    DEVELOPMENT. 

WITH  PROFUSE  ILLUSTRATIONS 


OF   ITS   HISTORICAL  OBJECTS,   PUBLIC   BUILDINGS,   MEMORIAL 
STATUARY,   AND    BEAUTIFUL    HOMES. 


BY 

Stilson   Hutchins, 

EDITOR  OF  THE  WASHINGTON  POST. 

AND 

Joseph  West   Moore, 

AUTHOR  AND  JOURNALIST. 


WASHINGTON : 

THE  POST   PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 

1885. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


BY    A    CORPS    OF    ARTISTS    UNDER    THE   SUPERVISION    OF 


MR.  SID.  H.  NEALY. 


Copyright,  1SS5, 
By  STILSON   HUTCHINS,  Washington,  D.  C. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

PAGE 
THE   CITY    OF   WASHINGTON— SELECTING  THE    PERMANENT    SEAT   OF   THE 

GOVERNMENT— THE  LONG  CONTEST  IN  CONGRESS— PRESIDENT  WASH- 
INGTON'S CHOICE  OF  THE  POTOMAC  SITE— THE  LEGISLATIVE  BARGAIN 
MADE— JEFFERSON'S  LITTLE  DINNER-PARTY— ACT  OF  CONGRESS  DE- 
FINING  THE  FEDERAL  TERRITORY 1 7-26 

CHAPTER    II. 

EARLY  HISTORY  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA— THE  FIRST  EXPLORERS 
AND  SETTLERS— ANCIENT  TOWNS  OF  ALEXANDRIA  AND  GEORGETOWN 
—THE  OLD  CHRIST  CHURCH— GEORGETOWN  COLLEGE— THE  BOUNDS  OF 
THE  DISTRICT  AS  PROCLAIMED  BY  WASHINGTON— L'ENFANT'S  DESIGN 
OF  THE  NATIONAL  CAPITAL— THE  CAREER  OF  THE  UNFORTUNATE 
FRENCH  ENGINEER 28-3/ 

CHAPTER     III. 

THE  ORIGINAL  LANDHOLDERS  OF  WASHINGTON— THEIR  AGREEMENT  \VITH 
THE  GOVERNMENT— DAVID  BURNS  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER— GENERAL 
VAN  NESS— THE  LANDS  OF  NOTLEY  YOUNG,  GEORGE  WALKER,  AND 
SAMUEL  DAVIDSON— DUDDINGTON  MANOR— DANIEL  CARROLL'S  DREAM 
OF  WEALTH— SPECULATIONS  IN  CITY  LOTS— ERECTING  THE  PUBLIC 
BVILDINGS— WASHINGTON  IN  1800,  WHEN  THE  GOVERNMENT  TOOK 
POSSESSION 39-49 


MS32921 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER     IV. 


FIRST  YEARS  OF  THE  CAPITAL— EVENTS  OF  INTEREST— THE  INVASION  BY 
BRITISH  TROOPS— ANCIENT  SOCIAL  LIFE  AND  CUSTOMS— THE  WELCOME 
TO  LAFAYETTE— FROM  1830  TO  1861— THE  CITY  DURING  THE  CIVIL 
WAR— LINES  OF  DEFENCES— EARLY'S  RAID— DEATH  OF  PRESIDENT 
LINCOLN— GRAND  REVIEW  OF  THE  UNION  ARMY— IMPROVEMENT  OF 
THE  CITY— GOVERNOR  SHEPHERD  AND   HIS   WORK 


PAGE 


51-68 


CHAPTER    V. 

PRESENT  APPEARANCE  OF  WASHINGTON— HOW  L'ENFANT'S  PLAN  WAS  DE- 
VELOPED—THE FOUR  QUARTERS  OF  THE  CITY— THE  STREETS  AND 
AVENUES— MEMORIAL  STATUARY  IN  THE  PARKS,  SQUARES,  AND 
CIRCLES— CHURCHES  AND  SCHOOLS— THE  MARKET  SYSTEM— FACTS  RE- 
LATING  TO  THE   POPULATION,   BUSINESS,  AND   GOVERNMENT    .        .        .  70-70 


CHAPTER    VI. 

THE  WASHINGTON  MONUMENT— DETAILS  OF  THE  LOFTY  CENOTAPH— THE 
MEMORIAL  STONES  FROM  ALL  PARTS  OF  THE  WORLD-THE  KEY- 
STONE, CAPSTONE,  AND  ALUMINIUM  TIP— CEREMONY  OF  SETTING  THE 
CAPSTONE— HISTORY  OF  THE  MONUMENT 


81-90 


CHAPTER    VII. 

THE  CAPITOL— ADVERTISING  FOR  A  DESIGN— THE  CONTEST  BETWEEN 
HALLATE  AND  THORNTON— LAYING  THE  CORNER  STONE— AN  ANCIENT 
ACCOUNT  OF  THE  CEREMONY— THE  REAL  ARCHITECT  OF  THE  OLD 
OR  ORIGINAL  CAPITOL— BUILDING  THE  EXTENSIONS— WEBSTER'S  IN- 
SCRIPTION  ON   THE   CORNER-STONE    OF   THE   SOUTH    EXTENSION   .        .       9I-IOI 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


PAGE 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  CAPITOL— THE  CENTRAL  BUILDING  AND  THE  EX- 
TENSIONS—VARIOUS WORKS  OF  ART— THE  BRONZE  DOORS— THE  GREAT 
DOME  AND  STATUE  OF  FREEDOM— GREENOUGH'S  STATUE  OF  WASH- 
INGTON—STATUE OF  CHIEF  JUSTICE  MARSHALL— THE  CAPITOL  PARK— 
THE  BOTANICAL  GARDEN— NAVAL  MONUMENT IO3-II5 


CHAPTER    IX. 

PRINCIPAL  STORY  OF  THE  CAPITOL— THE  ROTUNDA  AND  ITS  CANOPY- 
HISTORICAL  PAINTINGS— STATUARY  HALL— THE  STATUES  CONTRIB- 
UTED BY  VARIOUS  STATES-NOTABLE  WORKS  OF  ART— THE  BASEMENT 
OF  THE  CAPITOL  — UNDER-GROUND  CHAMBERS  AND  CRYPTS  — THE 
AMOUNT  EXPENDED  ON  THE  NATION'S  BUILDING I  1 7- 1  26 


CHAPTER    X. 

THE  LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS— HISTORY  OF  THE  GREAT  NATIONAL  COL- 
LECTION OF  BOOKS— THE  PURCHASE  OF  JEFFERSON'S  LIBRARY— THE 
LIBRARIANS  OF  CONGRESS— THE  LIBRARY  HALLS— BOOKS  READ  BY 
THE  MEMBERS  OF  CONGRESS— THE  COPYRIGHT  LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES         ...        128-135 


CHAPTER    XI. 

THE  SUPREME  COURT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES— THE  COURT-CHAMBER— 
MEMBERS  OF  THE  COURT— ANCIENT  OFFICIAL  COSTUME— THE  COURT 
IN  SESSION— LIST  OF  CHIEF  JUSTICES  FROM  THE  ESTABLISHMENT  OF 
THE   COURT  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME I37-I42 


5  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XII. 

PAGE 
THE  HALLS  OF  CONGRESS-VARIOUS   WORKS  OF  ART   IN   THE   EXTENSIONS 

OF    THE    CAPITOL— HOW    THE    ANCIENT     HALLS    OF    LEGISLATION    AP- 

PEARED-THE  ANNUAL  SESSIONS   OF  CONGRESS-PRINCIPAL  OFFICIALS 

OF  BOTH  HOUSES-DETAILS  OF  THE  NATIONAL  LEGISLATURE         .        .     144-I55 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE  WHITE  HOUSE— ITS  ARCHITECT  AND  HIS  WORK— THE  EARLY  OCCU- 
PANTS OF  THE  PRESIDENTIAL  RESIDENCE— MRS.  MADISON'S  DINNER 
FOR  THE  BRITISH  SOLDIERS— AFTER  THE  FIRE  OF  1814— PRESIDENT 
MONROE'S  FIRST  PUBLIC  RECEPTION— LATER  HISTORY— THE  GROUNDS 
AND  ROOMS  OF  THE  WHITE  HOUSE-THE  ANNUAL  EXPENDITURE  FOR 
THE   PUBLIC  BUSINESS I.57-I66 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENTS  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT-VARIOUS  FACTS 
AND  INTERESTING  DETAILS  OF  THEIR  ORGANIZATION— THE  OFFICIALS 
AND  CLERKS-THE  CIVIL  SERVICE  COMMISSION  AND  ITS  METHODS- 
HOW  THE  APPLICANTS  FOR  ADMISSION  TO  THE  PUBLIC  SERVICE  ARE 
EXAMINED         168-184 


CHAPTER    XV. 

SKETCHES  OF  GOVERNMENT  INSTITUTIONS— BUREAU  OF  ENGRAVING  AND 
PRINTING  AND  ITS  WORK— REDEMPTION  DIVISION  OF  THE  TREASURY 
—THE  SOLDIERS'  HOME— THE  NAVAL  OBSERVATORY— DEPARTMENT  OF 
AGRICULTURE— THE  WEATHER  BUREAU— DEAD-LETTER  OFFICE— THE 
SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION  AND  NATIONAL  MUSEUM— VARIOUS  MAT- 
TERS  OF   INTEREST      .... 1 86- 1 94 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


PAGE 


HISTORIC  ARLINGTON— THE  LARGEST  OF  THE  NATIONAL  MILITARY  CEME- 
TERIES—EARLY HISTORY  OF  THE  BEAUTIFUL  ESTATE— JOHN  CUSTIS 
AND  HIS  DESCENDANTS— GEORGE  WASHINGTON  PARKE  CUSTIS-GEN- 
ERAL  ROBERT  E.  LEE'S  LIFE  AT  ARLINGTON— THE  CUSTIS  MANSION 
—THE  GREAT  BURIAL-FIELDS  — O'HARA'S  POEM,  "THE  BIVOUAC  OF 
THE   DEAD" I95-2O9 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


THE  CORCORAN  GALLERY  OF  ART— THE  BUILDING  AND  ITS  ART  TREAS- 
URES—SKETCH OF  THE  LIFE  OF  W.  W.  CORCORAN— THE  COLUMBIAN 
UNIVERSITY  — GOVERNMENT  HOSPITAL  FOR  THE  INSANE  — HOWARD 
UNIVERSITY— GRAVE  OF  JOHN   HOWARD    PAYNE 2II-2l8 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

COLUMBIA  INSTITUTION  FOR  THE  DEAF  AND  DUMB  AND  NATIONAL  DEAF- 
MUTE  COLLEGE— BENEVOLENT  INSTITUTIONS— BALTIMORE  AND  POTO- 
MAC RAILROAD  DEPOT— THE  ASSASSINATION  OF  PRESIDENT  GARFIELD 
—THE  MASONIC  TEMPLE— MAYORS  OF  WASHINGTON— THE  CEMETERIES 
—DISTRICT  COURT-HOUSE 2  1 9-227 

CHAPTER    XIX. 

THE  MEMORIAL  TO  MARTIN  LUTHER— ARMY  MEDICAL  MUSEUM— THE  GREAT 

.MEDICAL    LIBRARY    OF    THE    GOVERNMENT  — VARIOUS    CITY    INSTITU- 

TIONS-THE  WASHINGTON   NAVY   YARD-GENERAL   LAND-OFFICE— THE 

PUBLIC    LANDS-BUREAU    OF    INDIAN    AFFAIRS-OTHER    INTERESTING 

MATTERS    229-238 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    XX. 


PAGE 


SKETCHES  OF  MOUNT  VERNON,  THE  HOME  OF  WASHINGTON— THE  ANCIENT 
MANSION— THE  TOMB  OF  WASHINGTON— THE  MARBLE  SARCOPHAGUS- 
WASHINGTON'S  LIFE  AT  MOUNT  VERNON— AN  ACCOUNT  OF  HIS  DEATH 
AND  BURIAL-THE  CONGRESSIONAL  FUNERAL  CEREMONY-WASHING- 
TON'S WILL— THE  VARIOUS  LEGACIES— THE  HEIRS  TO  MOUNT  VERNON.    239-264 

CHAPTER    XXI. 

THE  INAUGURATION  CEREMONIES  OF  PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 
—THE  FIRST  INAUGURATION  IN  WASHINGTON— ANCIENT  AND  MODERN 
CUSTOMS— THE  INAUGURATION  OF  PRESIDENT  CLEVELAND— CEREMONY 
AT  THE  CAPITOL— TAKING  THE  OATH  OF  OFFICE— THE  GRAND  PROCES- 
SION—THE INAUGURATION   BALL  IN  THE  NEW   PENSION   BUILDING       ,    266-285 

CHAPTER     XXII. 

THE  CHURCHES  OF  WASHINGTON-SKETCHES  OF  THE  ANCIENT  RELIGIOUS 
ORGANIZATIONS-CHURCHES  THAT  WERE  ATTENDED  BY  THE  PRESI- 
DENTS—THE PROMINENT  CHURCHES— THE  COLORED  POPULATION- 
HOW  EMANCIPATION  WAS  ACCOMPLISHED  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  CO- 
LUMBIA     286-295 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

THE  NATIONAL  CAPITAL  AS  IT  IS  TO-DAY— VARIOUS  ATTRACTIVE  FEATURES 
—  THE  IMPROVEMENTS  TO  BE  MADE  — NOTABLE  EXAMPLES  OF  THE 
BEAUTIFUL  AND  ARTISTIC  HOMES  IN  THE  WEST  END  AND  ELSEWHERE 
IN   THE  CITY— THE  ENVIRONS— SOME  INTERESTING  LOCALITIES      .        .    296-322 

ORIGINAL  PLAN  OF  WASHINGTON 326-328 

THE   PUBLIC  SERVICE 331-345 

INDEX 347-351 


ILLUSTRATIOiNS. 


Capitol  Hill  as  seen  from  the  National  Museum 

Washington  in   1813 

The  Capitol  when  First  Erected 

Pennsylvania  Avenue  from  the  Treasury  . 

Statue  of  General  Jackson  in  Lafayette  Park 

•Statue  of  General  McPherson    .... 

Central  Quarter  of  the  City  of  Washington  . 

Alexandria  from  the  Potomac     .... 

Old  Christ  Church  in  Alexandria — Washington's  Pew 

Georgetown,  showing  the  Aqueduct  Bridge 

Pierre  Charles  L'Enfant      ..... 

Suter's  Tavern  in   179  i 

L'P2nfant's  Grave   ....... 

Georgetown  College 

David  Burns'  Cabin  and  the  Van  Ness  Mansion 
Marcia  Burns  Van  Ness 
Duddington  Manor-House     . 
Commodore  Decatur's  House  and  Tomb 
The  President's  House  in   1800    . 
Statue  of  General  Nathaniel  Greene 
Northwest  Quarter  of  the  City-  of  Washington 
The  "  Great  Hotel"  in   1793         .... 

Long  Bridge   ........ 

Old  War  Department  Building  .... 


PAGE 

16 
18 

19 
21 

23 

25 
27 

29 
31 
33 
34 
35 
36 
38 

41 
42 

43 

45 

47 
48 

50 

52 
53 
55 


i o  ill  ustra  tions. 

Defences  of  Washington  during  the  Civil  War 

Old  Fortifications  as  they  appear  To-Day 

Ford's  Theatre,  where  Lincoln  was  Shot 

House  where  Lincoln  Died  ...... 

Grand  March  and  Review  of  the  Union  Army,   1865 
Alexander  R.  Shepherd        ....... 

Statue  of  Admiral  Farragut  in  Farragut  Square  . 
Pennsylvania  Avenue  at  Eleventh  Street 
Statue  of  General  Scott  in  Scott  Square 

Statue  of  Washington 

Statue  of  Emancipation  in  Lincoln  Park  .... 

Statue  of  General  Thomas  ....... 

Grounds  of  the   Department  of  Agriculture  and  Monument 

Square      

The  Washington  Monument 

Entrance  to  the  Monument  ...... 

In  the  Elevator    ......... 

Capstone  of  the  Monument,  showing  the  Aluminium  Tip 
Completing  the  Monument    ....... 

Staging  at  the  Top  of  the  Monument  during  the  Work  of 

Completion       ......... 

Colonel  Thomas  L.  Casey,  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Monument 
East  Front  of  the  Capitol  ....... 

The  Capitol  in  1827 

Main  Entrance  of  the  Capitol   ...... 

Statue  of  War  in  Main  Entrance  of  the  Capitol  . 
Statue  of  Peace  in  Main  Entrance  of  the  Capitol 
National  Botanical  Garden  ...... 

West  Front  of  the  Capitol 

Dome  of  the  Capitol     ........ 


PAGE 

57 

59 
61 

63 

65 
67 

69 

71 

73 
75 

ye 

78 

80 

83 

85 

86 

^7 
88 

89 
90 
92 

93 

95 
98 

99 

100 

102 
104 


ILL  USTRA  TIONS. 


II 


Statue  of  Freedom  on  Capitol  Dome 

Allegorical  Group  on  Portico  of  the  Capitol 

Marble  Group,  "  The  Discovery  of  America,"  on   Portico  of 

jHE  Capitol      ......... 

Marble  Group,  "  Civilization,"  on  Portico  of  the  Capitol 
The  Rogers  Bronze  Door  in  Main  Entrance  of  the  Capitol 
The    Crawford    Bronze    Door    in    Senate    Extension    of   the 

C41PITOL     .... 
Greenough's  Statue  of  Washington  in   Eastern  Park  of  the 

Capitol     .... 
Statue  of  Chief  Justice  Marshall  in  Western   Park  of  the 

Capitol     .... 

The  Naval  Monument    . 

The  Rotunda  of  the  Capitol 

Canopy  of  the  Rotunda 

National  Statuary  Hall,  showing  the  Historical  Clock 

Statue  of  Fulton  in  Statuary  Hall  . 

Houdon's  Statue  of  Washington  in  Statuary  Hall 

Diagram  of  the  Principal  Story  of  the  Capitol 

Library  of  Congress      ...... 

Ainsworth  R.  Spofford,  Librarian  of  Congress 
Statue  of  General  Rawlins 
Statue  of  Admiral  Dupont  . 
The  Supreme  Court  Chamber 
Court  Seal      .... 

Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court 

The  Senate  Chamber 

The  Senate  Marble  Room    . 

The  Senate  Lobby . 

Grand  Staircase  in  Senate  Extension  of  the  Capitol 


PAGE 
105 

105 

106 
107 
109 

III 

I  12 

116 
119 
121 
122 
124 
125 
127 
129 


131 


133 
134 
136 

138 
139 
143 

145 

147 
148 


ym 


12 


ILL  USTRA  TIONS. 


'j.# 


i6i- 


Painting,  "  Perry's    Victory    on    Lake    Erie,"    in    Senate    Ex 

TENSION        ...... 

Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
The  Speaker's  Mace 
Representatives'  Retiring-Room  . 
Old  Capitol  Prison  in  1864 
The  White  House. 
South  View  of  the  White  House 
East  Room  of  the  White  House 
Rooms  of  the  White  House 
Conservatory  of  the  White  House 
State,  War,  and  Navy  Building  . 
Foreign  Legation  Buildings. 
The  Treasury  Building 

Naval  Observatory,  showing  the  Great  Equator 
The  Post-Office  Department 
The  Patent  Office 
The  New  Pension  Building  . 
Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane 
Government  Printing-Office 
Bureau  of  Engraving  and  Printing 
Department  of  Agriculture 
The  Smithsonian  *Institution 
Statue  of  Professor  Joseph  Henry,  on  Smithsonian  Grounds 
Professor   Spencer    F.   Baird,  Secretary  of   the    Smithsonian 
Institution        ......... 

The  National  Museum 

The  Signal  Office  or  Weather  Bureau     .... 

Arlington  Mansion 

Burial-Field  at  Arlington — Tomb  of  Unknown  Soldiers 


ial  Telescope 


PAGE 

[49 

52 


54 
56 
58 

59 
[63 

[64 

[69 

^/i 
73 

75 

77 

79 
;8i 

i83 
85 
87 
89 

190 

[91 

[93 
[94 

[96 

[97 


ill  ustra  tions. 

Grave  of  John  Howard  Payne,  at  Oak  Hill  Cemetery 
Views  at  the  Soldiers'  Home      .         .         .  "       , 
Statue  of  General  Scott  at  the  Soldiers'  Home    . 
Summer   Residence  of  Presidents   of   the   United    States   at 

the  Soldiers'  Home        ....... 

The  Thomas  Circle        ......... 

Corcoran  Gallery  of  Art    ....... 

William  W.  Corcoran   ........ 

The  Louise  Home  ......... 

Columbian  University    ........ 

James  C.  Welling,  President  of  Columbian  University    . 
Howard  University         ........ 

Columbia  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  and  National 

Deaf-Mute  College         ....... 

Edward    M.    Gallaudet,    President    of    the    National    Deaf- 

Mute  College  ........ 

Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad  Depot — Garfield  Mejviorial 

Tablet      .......... 

View  on  Seventh  Street       .         

View  on  F  Street  ........ 

The  Masonic  Temple      ........ 

The  District  Court-House 

The  W.  B.  Moses  Building  .         .         ,         .         .         . 
Pennsylvania  Avenue  looking  down  D  Street  . 
Statue  of  Martin  Luther    .         .         .         .         . 
Albaugh's  Grand  Opera-House  and  Infantry  Armory 

National  Rifles'  Armory 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association  Building    . 

The  District  Jail  ......... 

The  Center  Market      ........ 


13 

PACE 
199 
203 
205 

207 
210 

212 
213 

216 
217 
218 

220 

221 

222 
223 
224 
225 
226 
227 
228 
230 
231 
232 


-0  r 


00- 


14 


ILL  USTRA  TIONS. 


Corcoran 
Washington   Mon 


Odd  Fellows'  Building 

Banking-House  of  Riggs  &  Co. 

Ancient  Architecture  . 

Mount  Vernon  Mansion 

Tomb  of  Washington 

West  Front  Mount.  Vernon  Mansion 

Washington's  Bed-Chamber   . 

Parlor  in  Mount  Vernon  Mansion 

The  Mount  Vernon  Steamboat    . 

Captain  L.  L.  Blake,  of  Steamboat  W.  W 

Hon.  Robert  C.  Winthrop,  Orator  of  the 

ument  ..... 

Department  of  Justice  . 
Franklin  School    .... 
Washington  Navy  Yard 
A  Reception  at  the  White  House 

President  Cleveland  at  his  Desk  in  the  White  House 
President  Cleveland   entering  the   Rotunda  of  the  Capitol 

ON  the  Way  to  his  Inauguration 
President  Cleveland  taking  the  Oath  of  Office 
The  Inaugural  Procession  on  Pennsylvania  Avenue 
The    Cleveland     Inauguration    Ball    in    the    New     Pension 

Building    ....... 

Souvenir  Ticket  of  the  Inauguration  Ball 

Churches         

Residences       ....... 

Map  of  the  City  of  Washington 

L'Enfant's  Plan  of  the  City  of  Washington 

Plan  of  the  Senate  Chamber 

Plan  of  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives 


PAGE 
236 

238 
241 
244 
244 
247 
247 
250 

255 
258 

260 

263 

265 

269 

275 
277 


281 

283 

287-295 

297-321 

•  l^l 
■  325 
.  329 

•  330 


THE   NATIONAL  CAPITAL. 


CHAPTER    I. 

THE  CITY  OF  WASHINGTON— SELECTING  THE  PERMANENT  SEAT  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT 
—THE  LONG  CONTEST  IN  CONGRESS— PRESIDENT  WASHINGTON'S  CHOICE  OF  THE 
POTOMAC  SITE— THE  LEGISLATIVE  BARGAIN  MADE— JEFFERSON'S  LITTLE  DINNER- 
PARTY—ACT OF  CONGRESS  DEFINING  THE  FEDERAL  TERRITORY. 

HE  city  of  Washington  can  be  likened  to  a  splendid  century- 
plant  set  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  by  the  Father  of  his 
Country,  and  which  has  now  blossomed  for  the  first  time. 
For  nearly  one  hundred  years  the  capital  of  the  American 
nation  has  had  an  existence,  but  it  is  only  within  a  few  years  that  it  can 
be  said  to  have  awakened  to  a  vigorous  life.  At  first  it  was  a  promising 
settlement  animated  by  extravagant  visions  of  a  sudden,  grand  develop- 
ment, but  when  these  hopes  and  dreams  were  dispelled  it  settled  down 
into  a  slothful,  dreary,  repulsive  town, — a  sort  of  tattered  fringe  on  the 
national  garb.  And  for  a  long  time  it  was  content  to  be,  as  M.  de  Bacourt 
wrote,  "neither  a  city,  nor  a  village,  nor  the  country,  but  a  building  yard 
placed  in  a  desolate  spot  wherein  living  is  unbearable."  But  Washington 
now  is  bright  and  beautiful  and  progressive,  and  gives  abundant  promise 
of  becoming  the  grandest  capital  of  the  world. 

Soon  after  the  Revolutionary  war  the  question  of  a  permanent  seat  for 
the  American  government  began  to  be  agitated.  The  Continental  Congress 
had  been  compelled  to  hold  its  sessions  in  eight  different  places,  and  the 
Congress  of  the  Confederation  was  driven  from  Philadelphia,  after  sitting 
there  during  five  years,  to  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  because  its  proceedings 
had  been  interrupted  by  a  mob  of  turbulent  soldiers,  who  were  not 
promptly  checked  by  the  authorities  of  the  city.  "  This  untoward  event," 
it  is  stated,  "  led  to  much  unfavorable  comment,  and  exercised  undoubted 
influence  in  determining  against  the  location  of  the  ultimate  seat  of  Con- 

2  17 


i8 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


WASHINGTON    IN    1S13. 

gress  and  the  government  in  any  large  city."  On  the  23d  of  December, 
1784,  a  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  Congress  of  the  Confederation  for 
the  appointment  of  commissioners  to  lay  out  a  district  on  the  Delaware 
river,  near  the  Lower  Falls,  for  "  a  Federal  town,  a  Federal  House  for 
Congress,  and  for  the  executive  officers  thereof,  and  houses  for  the  Presi- 
dent and  the  Secretaries  of  Foreign  Affairs,  War,  the  Marine,  and  the 
Treasury."  It  was  moved  to  substitute  "  Georgetown  on  the  Potomac" 
as  the  site  of  the  Federal  town,  but  all  the  States  except  Virginia  voted 
against  the  motion.  The  resolution  for  some  unknown  reason  was  not 
carried  into  effect,  and  the  whole  matter  remained  quiescent  until  May  10, 
1787,  when  an  effort  was  made  in  Congress,  then  sitting  in  New  York,  to 
take  up  a  resolution  for  the  erection  of  government  buildings  at  George- 
town. This  effort  did  not  succeed,  and  nothing  further  was  done  in  the 
Congress  of  the  Confederation  toward  establishing  the  permanent  seat  of 
the  government. 

During  the  session  in  Philadelphia,  in  the  summer  of  1787,  of  the 
convention  to  revise  the  Federal  system  of  government,  it  was  proposed 
that  the  new  Constitution  of  the  United  States  should  provide  "  against 
choosing  for  the  seat  of  the  general  government  any  city  or  place  where  a 
State  government  might  be  fixed,"  as  it  was  believed  that  disputes  would 
continually  arise  concerning  jurisdiction.  The  matter  was  generally  dis- 
cussed, and  when  the  draft  of  the  Constitution  was  being  considered  a 
motion  was  made  by  James  Madison  that  the  following  clause  be  added 
to  the  enumerated  powers  of  Congress :  "  To  exercise  exclusively  legis- 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


19 


lative  authority  at  the  seat  of  the  General  Government,  and  over  a  district 

around  the  same   not  exceeding  square   miles,  the   consent  of  the 

State  or  States  comprising  the  same  being  first  obtained." 

The  motion  was  adopted,  and  the  proposed  clause  went  to  the  com- 
mittee on  style,  and  was  arranged  in  the  form  it  now  has  in  the  Con- 
stitution :  "  To  exercise  exclusive  legislation,  in  all  cases  whatsoever^ 
over  such  district  (not  exceeding  ten  miles  square)  as  may  by  cession  of 
particular  States,  and  the  acceptance  of  Congress,  become  the  seat  of 
government  of  the  United  States." 

The  First  Congress  of  the  United  States  under  the  Constitution  assem- 
bled in  New  York  on  the  4th  of  March,  1789,  but  it  was  not  until  a  month 
later  that  it  was  ready  for  business.  Within  a  short  time  after  the  session 
had  begun  numerous  memorials  were  received  praying  for  the  settlement 
of  the  question  of  the  permanent  seat  of  the  government.  The  claims  of 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Reading,  Germantown,  Alexandria, 
Georgetown,  Harrisburg,  Lancaster,  Carlisle,  Trenton,  and  other  places 
were  urged  with  pertinacity,  and  Congress  was  soon  "  divided  into  schools 
of  opinion  hard  to  reconcile."  The  Eastern  members  would  not  agree 
to  the  location  of  the  capital  in  Maryland  or  Virginia,  and  were  hardly 
inclined  to  look  with  favor  upon  any  place  except  the  city  of  New  York, 
which  had  provided  Congress  with  ample  and  suitable  accommodations 


THE   CAPITOL   WHEN   FIRST   ERECTED. 


20  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

free  of  cost.  Nearly  all  the  Southern  members  were  in  favor  of  the 
Potomac  site,  claiming  that  it  possessed  advantages  which  made  it  superior 
to  all  other  places.  Every  place  proposed  had  its  strong  advocates,  and 
for  a  long  time  it  seemed  as  if  it  would  be  impossible  for  Congress  to 
decide  upon  any  location.  The  Maryland  legislature,  on  December  23, 
1788,  had  passed  "  an  act  to  cede  to  Congress  and  the  United  States  any 
district  not  exceeding  ten  miles  square  which  the  Congress  may  fix  upon 
and  accept  for  the  seat  of  government  of  the  United  States ;"  and  the 
Virginia  legislature,  in  1789,  passed  a  similar  act. 

A  stubborn  contest  over  this  important  matter  was  begun  in  the 
House  of  Representatives  on  August  27,  1789.  A  motion  was  made 
"  that  a  permanent  residence  ought  to  be  fixed  for  the  general  government 
of  the  United  States  at  some  convenient  place  as  near  the  centre  of  wealth, 
population,  and  extent  of  territory  as  may  be  consistent  with  conven- 
ience to  the  navigation  of  the  Atlantic  ocean,  and  have  due  regard  to  the 
particular  situation  of  the  Western  country." 

The  debate  was  opened  by  Roger  Sherman,  of  Connecticut,  who  made 
an  elaborate  argument  against  the  motion,  contending  that  as  the  Union 
of  the  States  was  not  completed,  Rhode  Island  and  North  Carolina  not 
being  represented  in  Congress,  a  question  so  important  as  this  one  should 
be  postponed  to  the  next  session.  He  declared,  also,  that  the  government 
could  not  establish  a  Federal  town,  as  it  was  not  possessed  of  sufficient 
resources. 

Some  of  the  Southern  members  argued  that  the  establishment  of  a 
capital  would  be  a  strong  bond  of  union,  and  would  greatly  aid  the  nation 
in  its  progress  and  development.  Fisher  Ames  doubted  "  whether  the 
government  could  stand  the  shock  of  such  a  measure,  which  involved  as 
many  passions  as  the  human  heart  could  display."  Finally  the  question 
was  made  the  special  order  for  the  3d  of  September  following,  and  on 
that  day  and  the  next  the  debate  was  renewed  with  increased  earnestness. 

An  Eastern  member  moved  to  locate  the  capital  at  "  some  convenient 
place  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Susquehanna  river  in  Pennsylvania."  A 
substitute  was  offered  by  a  Virginia  member,  which  provided  for  "  a  place 
as  nearly  central  as  a  convenient  communication  with  the  Atlantic  ocean 
and  an  easy  access  to  the  Western  territory  will  permit."  The  substitute 
motion  was  lost,  and  the  motion  for  the  Susquehanna  location  was  carried 
by  a  vote  of  32  to  18. 

Then  ensued  a  long  and  bitter  wransjle.  The  Eastern  members  were 
charged  with  having  conspired  with  the  members  from  Pennsylvania  to 
prevent  the  Potomac  site  from  being  chosen,  and  with  a  disposition  to 
force  a  decision  in  a  single  day.     It  was  declared  that  Virginia  would  not 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


21 


,i!«4UUikHi^^t"--l- l"""i       M' 


PENNSYLVANIA  AVENUE  FROM  THE  TREASURY. 

have  entered  the  Union  if  it  had  been  beheved  in  her  convention  that 
the  interests  of  the  Southern  States  were  to  be  sacrificed.  Time  was 
demanded  for  a  free  and  full  debate,  and  that  all  the  facts  be  gathered 
concerning  the  various  sites  proposed. 

The  Eastern  and  Pennsylvania  members  indignantly  denied  the  charge 
of  conspiracy.  They  believed  the  Susquehanna  was  nearer  the  centre  of 
population  than  the  Potomac,  and  that  it  had  a  much  better  climate. 
One  declared  that  the  climate  of  the  Potomac  region  "was  very  unhealthy 
and  exceedingly  destructive  to  northern  constitutions."  A  motion  to  sub- 
stitute the  Potomac  for  the  Susquehanna  was  voted  down,  and  then  a 
resolution  for  the  appointment  of  commissioners  to  report  the  most 
eligible  site  on  the  Susquehanna  was  adopted  by  28  yeas  to  21  nays. 

Three  days  were  occupied  by  the  Senate  in  discussing  the  matter,  but 
no  record  of  the  debate  has  been  preserved.  At  last  it  was  decided  not 
to  accept  the  Susquehanna  site,  and  on  September  26,  1789,  the  Senate 
passed  a  bill  by  10  to  7  locating  the  capital  on  the  Delaware  river  at 
Germantown,  Pennsylvania.  The  bill  was  sent  to  the  House  the  same 
day,  and,  after  a  rather  stormy  debate,  was  agreed  to  by  a  vote  of  31  to  24. 


22  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

The  House,  however,  inserted  in  it  a  proviso  for  the  continuance  of 
the  Pennsylvania  laws  in  force  in  the  district  to  be  ceded  to  the  United 
States  until  Congress  should  otherwise  provide,  and  sent  it  back  to  the 
Senate  for  concurrence.  It  was  within  forty-eight  hours  of  the  close  of 
the  session,  and  as  there  were  many  important  matters  to  be  acted  upon, 
the  Senate  postponed  the  further  consideration  of  the  bill  until  the  next 

session. 

The  second  session  of  the  First  Congress  began  January  4,  1790,  but 
both  houses  were  completely  engrossed  with  bills  concerning  the  revenue 
and  public  debt,  and  no  mention  was  made  of  the  capital  question  until 
the  last-  day  of  May.  At  that  time  a  bill  was  introduced  in  the  Senate 
by  Pierce  Butler,  of  South  Carolina,  to  locate  the  permanent  seat  of  the 
government  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Potomac.  It  was  referred  to  a 
select  committee,  which  afterwards  made  a  favorable  report,  but  the 
Senate  rejected  the  bill  by  a  vote  of  9  to  15.  Wilmington  and  Balti- 
more were  then  proposed,  but  were  also  rejected  by  a  large  majority. 
No  one  seemed  to  care  to  take  up  the  Germantown  bill,  and  not  the 
slightest  reference  was  made  to  it. 

It  was  well  known  that  President  Washington  desired  the  capital  to 
be  located  on  the  Potomac,  and  that,  in  fact,  it  was  his  pet  project,  and 
one  for  which  he  had  labored  zealously  for  a  long  time.  From  early 
manhood  he  had  noted  the  wide,  undulating  plain  on  which  the  national 
capital  is  now  located,  its  special  adaptation  to  the  purposes  of  a  large 
city,  and  had  even  ventured  a  prediction  that  one  day  it  would  contain  a 
large  community.  He  held  the  great  Arlington  estate,  on  the  Virginia 
side  of  the  river,  as  guardian  for  the  Custis  children,  and  sitting  on  its 
high  eastern  bank  with  his  sweet  wife  on  many  a  pleasant  summer  after- 
noon enjoying  the  sweeping  view  of  valley  and  hill  and  river,  he  is  said 
to  have  conceived  and  elaborated  the  idea  of  having  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment located  where  it  is.  He  had  nearly  the  full  support  of  the  Southern 
members  of  Congress  in  this  matter,  but  was  unable  to  secure  the 
necessary  aid  of  the  members  from  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States. 

Two  weeks  passed  before  Congress  again  took  up  the  momentous 
question.  On  the  28th  of  June,  1790,  a  bill  came  before  the  Senate 
locating  the  seat  of  government  "  on  the  river  Potomac,  at  some  space 
between  the  mouths  of  the  Eastern  Branch  and  Conococheague."  The 
Southern  Senators  all  voted  for  it,  and  they  were  supported  by  two 
Senators  from  Pennsylvania,  one  from  New  Jersey,  and  one  from  New 
Hampshire,  the  vote  standing  16  yeas  to  9  nays. 

The  House  acted  on  the  bill  on  the  9th  of  July,  after  debating  it  for 
three  days.     A  strong  effort  was  made  to  substitute  Baltimore,  but  when 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


23 


STATUE   OF   GENERAL   JACKSON   IN 
LAFAYETTE   PARK. 


it  was  found  to  be  of  no  avail,  the 
bill  as  it  came  from  the  Senate 
was  passed  by  a  vote  of  32  to  29. 
In  passing  it  the  Southern  mem- 
bers were  aided  by  votes  from  the 
Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  dele- 
gations. The  bill  provided  that 
Philadelphia  should  be  the  capital 
city  until  1800,  when  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment should  be  located  perma- 
nently on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac. 

Thomas  Jefferson  has  written  what  may  be  considered  the  "  inside'^ 
history  of  the  passage  of  the  bill.  It  appears  that  a  legislative  bargain 
was  made.  At  that  time  there  was  before  Congress  Alexander  Hamil- 
ton's funding  bill,  which  has  been  designated  as  a  "  monument  of  states- 
manship," and  which  provided  for  the  payment  by  the  general  government 
of  the  twenty  millions  of  indebtedness  incurred  by  the  various  States 
during  the  Revolution.  The  bill  had  met  with  great  opposition  from  the 
Southern  members,  and  the  House  had  rejected  it.  The  Eastern  States 
held  a  majority  of  the  war  claims,  and  it  was  feared  they  would  withdraw 
from  the  Union  if  the  government  did  not  assume  the  indebtedness. 

In  reference  to  this  Mr.  Jefferson  says,  "  I  proposed  to  Hamilton  to 
dine  with  me,  and  I  would  invite  another  friend  or  two  and  bring  them 


2  A  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

into  conference  together,  and  I  thought  it  impossible  that  reasonable  men 
consulting  together  coolly  could  fail,  by  some  mutual  sacrifices  of  opinion, 
to  form  a  compromise  which  was  to  save  the  Union.  The  discussion  took 
place.  It  was  finally  agreed  that,  whatever  importance  had  been  attached 
to  the  rejection  of  the  funding  proposition,  the  preservation  of  the  Union 
and  of  concord  among  the  States  was  more  important,  and  that  there- 
fore it  would  be  better  that  the  vote  of  rejection  should  be  rescinded,  to 
effect  which  some  members  should  change  their  votes.  But  it  was  ob- 
served that  this  pill  would  be  peculiarly  bitter  to  the  Southern  States,  and 
that  some  concomitant  measure  should  be  adopted  to  sweeten  it  a  little 
to  them.  There  had  been  before  propositions  to  fix  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment either  at  Philadelphia  or  at  Georgetown  on  the  Potomac  ;  and  it  was 
thought  by  giving  it  to  Philadelphia  for  ten  years,  and  to  Georgetown 
permanently  afterwards,  this  might  act  as  an  anodyne,  and  calm  in  some 
measure  the  ferment  which  might  be  excited  by  the  other  measure  alone. 
So  two  of  the  Potomac  members  agreed  to  change  their  votes,  and  Ham- 
ilton undertook  to  carry  the  other  point.  In  doing  this  the  influence 
he  had  established  over  the  Eastern  members  effected  his  side  of  the 
engagement,  and  so  the  Assumption  was  passed." 

By  this  sagacious  plan,  which,  it  is  believed,  originated  with  Jefferson, 
the  funding  bill  and  the  bill  locating  the  seat  of  government,  the  two 
measures  which  had  disturbed  the  harmony  of  the  "  infant  nation"  and 
had  seriously  threatened  the  continuance  of  the  Union  of  the  States,  were 
disposed  of  satisfactorily. 

The  following  is  the  "  Act  for  establishing  the  temporary  and  perma- 
nent seat  of  the  government  of  the  United  States,"  as  passed  by  Congress 
on  the  9th  of  July,  1790: 

"  Section  i. — Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Cojigress  assembled,  That  a  district  of 
territory  not  exceeding  ten  miles  square,  to  be  located  as  hereafter  directed, 
on  the  river  Potomac,  at  some  space  between  the  mouths  of  the  Eastern 
Branch  and  Conococheague,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  accepted  for  the 
permanent  seat  of  the  government  of  the  United  States  :  Provided,  never- 
theless, that  the  operation  of  the  laws  of  the  State  within  such  district 
shall  not  be  affected  by  this  acceptance  until  the  time  fixed  for  the  removal 
of  the  government  thereto,  and  until  Congress  shall  otherwise  by  law 
provide. 

"  Section  2. — And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  President  of  the 
United  States  be  authorized  to  appoint,  and,  by  supplying  vacancies  hap- 
pening from  refusals  to  act  or  other  causes,  to  keep  in  appointment  as 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


25 


STATUE   OF   GENERAL   MCPHERSON. 


long  as  may  be  necessary,  three  commissioners,  who,  or  any  two  of  whom, 
shall,  under  the  direction  of  the  President,  survey,  and  by  proper  metes 
and  bounds  define  and  limit  a  district  of  territory  under  the  limitations 
above  mentioned  ;  and  the  district  so  defined,  limited  and  located  shall 
be  deemed  the  district  accepted  by  this  act  for  the  permanent  seat  of  the 
government  of  the  United  States. 

"  Section  3. — And  be  it  enacted,  That  the  said  commissioners,  or  any 
two  of  them,  shall  have  power  to  purchase  or  accept  such  quantity  of 
land  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  said  river  within  the  said  district  as  the 
President  shall  deem  proper  for  the  use  of  the  United  States,  and  accord- 
ing to  such  plans  as  the  President  shall  approve  said  commissioners,  or 
any  two  of  them,  shall  prior  to  the  first  Monday  in  December,  in  the  year 
one  thousand  eight  hundred,  provide  suitable  buildings  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  Congress,  and  of  the  President,  and  for  the  public  offices  of  the 
government  of  the  United  States. 

"  Section  4. — And  be  it  enacted,  That  for  defraying  the  expense  of  such 


26 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


purchases  and  buildings,  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  authorized 
and  requested  to  accept  grants  of  money. 

"  Section  5. — And  be  it  enacted,  That  prior  to  the  first  Monday  in 
December  next,  all  offices  attached  to  the  seat  of  government  of  the 
United  States  shall  be  removed  to,  and  until  the  first  Monday  in  Decem- 
ber, in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred,  shall  remain  at  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  at  which  place  the  session  o^ 
Congress  next  ensuing  the  present  shall  be  held. 

"  Section  6, — And  be  it  enacted,  That  on  the  said  first  Monday  in  De- 
cember, in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred,  the  seat  of  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  shall  by  virtue  of  this  act  be  transferred  to  the 
district  and  place  aforesaid,  and  all  offices  attached  to  the  said  seat  of 
government  shall  accordingly  be  removed  thereto  by  their  respective 
holders,  and  shall,  after  the  said  day,  cease  to  be  exercised  elsewhere ; 
and  that  the  necessary  expense  of  such  removal  shall  be  defrayed  out  of 
the  duties  on  impost  and  tonnage,  of  which  a  sufficient  sum  is  hereby 
appropriated. 

"July  16,  1790.     (Approved.) 

"GEORGE   WASHINGTON, 

"  President  of  the  United  States." 


ll>^^^ 


m 

WW 


CHAPTER    II. 

EARLY  HISTORY  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA— THE  FIRST  EXPLORERS  AND  SET- 
TLERS—ANCIENT TOWNS  OF  ALEXANDRIA  AND  GEORGETOWN— THE  OLD  CHRIST 
CHURCH— GEORGETOWN  COLLEGE— THE  BOUNDS  OF  THE  DISTRICT  AS  PROCLAIMED 
BY  WASHINGTON— L'ENFANT'S  DESIGN  OF  THE  NATIONAL  CAPITAL— THE  CAREER 
OF  THE  UNFORTUNATE  FRENCH  ENGINEER. 

[HE  region  now  known  as  the  District  of  Columbia,  or  the 
Federal  Territory,  was  partially  explored  by  Captain  John 
Smith  in  1608.  He  was  the  first  white  man  to  sail  up  the 
"  Patawomeke,"  as  he  calls  it  in  his  letters,  and  he  found  its 
waters  full  of  luscious  fish  and  its  shores  inhabited  by  savage  tribes. 
Fifteen  years  later,  in  search  of  furs,  Henry  Fleet,  the  doughty  English 
trader,  followed  nearly  in  the  course  described  by  Captain  Smith,  and 
made  himself,  and  afterwards  the  world  by  means  of  graphic  letters, 
familiar  with  what  he  enthusiastically  termed  "the  most  healthful  and 
pleasantest  region  in  all  this  country."  Fleet  was  a  capable  writer  as  well 
as  an  enterprising  fur-trader  and  explorer,  and  he  wrote  interesting  de- 
scriptions of  the  "  fair  and  fertile  lands"  traversed  by  him  in  Maryland  and 
Virginia.  He  went  fearlessly  among  the  ferocious  Indians,  and  once  was 
held  a  captive  by  them.  Some  forty  years  after  he  had  made  the  Potomac 
country  well  known  in  England,  a  party  of  emigrants,  mostly  from  Scot- 
land and  Ireland,  settled  in  that  portion  of  Maryland  now  included  in  the 
District  of  Columbia.  They  found  a  productive  soil  and  genial  climate, 
and  their  farms  were  bordered  by  a  river  on  which  snow-white  swans 
gracefully  floated.  Documents  relating  to  three  tracts  of  land,  all  lying 
within  the  boundary  of  the  city  of  Washington,  have  come  down  to  the 
present  time  from  these  early  occupants  of  the  district.  One,  bearing 
date  of  June  5,  1663,  describes  by  metes  and  bounds  what  is  now  Capitol 
Hill.  The  tract  was  owned  and  occupied  by  Francis  Pope,  and  he  called 
it  Room  or  Rome.  The  small,  sluggish  stream  flowing  at  the  western 
base  of  the  hill  was  named  by  him  the  Tiber  river.  Another  of  the 
documents  is  dated  June  5,  1663,  and  refers  to  a  tract  laid  out  for  Captain 
Robert  Troop,  and  designated  as  "  Scotland  Yard."  This  is  believed  to 
28 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


29 


be  the  land  now  constituting  the  southeastern  part  of  Washington.  The 
third  document  has  the  date  of  1681,  and  describes  a  tract  possessed  by 
Wilham  Lang,  and  known  as  the  "  Widow's  Mite,"  which  it  is  beHeved 
was  in  the  western  part  of  the  city.  Of  these  settlers  scarcely  anything 
is  known.  For  a  hundred  years  they  and  their  descendants  lived  doubt- 
less in  peace  and  comfort  "  far  from  the  busy  haunts  of  men,"  little 
dreaming  that  on  their  fields  would  eventually  stand  the  fair  capital  city 
of  the  great  American  republic. 

In  1748  the  town  of  Bellhaven  was  founded  on  the  Virginia  side  of 
the  Potomac,  five  miles  below  what  is  now  the  city  of  Washington.  A 
few  years  afterwards  its  name  was  changed  to  Alexandria.  This  ancient 
town  had  a  promising  early  career.  It  rapidly  became  an  important  port 
and  developed  an  extensive  foreign  trade.  It  was  well  known  in  the  great 
English  commercial  cities.  General  Washington,  Governor  Lee,  and 
other  prominent  Virginians  interested  themselves  in  its  development,  and 
at  one  time  it  was  thought  it  would  become  a  greater  city  than  Baltimore. 
Warehouses  crowded  with  tobacco  and  flour  and  corn  lined  its  docks, 
and  fleets  of  merchant  vessels  filled  its  harbor.  Its  claims  were  strongly 
advanced  as  a  suitable  place  for  the  location  of  the  permanent  seat  of  the 
national  government.  On  November  21,  1792,  the  publication  was  begun 
of  a  semi-weekly  newspaper  named  the  Colinnbian  Mirror  and  Alexandria 
Gazette,  and  this  journal  for  a  number  of  years  was  the  only  one  published 
in  this  section  of  the  country.  It  was  taken  by  all  the  opulent  families, 
and  was  read  regularly  by  Washington.  Recently,  in  making  repairs  at 
the  Mount  Vernon  mansion,  a  copy  of  this  paper  of  the  year  1799  was 
discovered  in  a  niche  in  the  roof. 

Alexandria  is  now  a  city  of  fifteen  thousand  people, — a  dull,  uninter- 


j —  -'-Nr~^•^' 


ALEXANDRIA  FROM   THE  POTOMAC. 


^Q  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

esting  place,  all  its  ancient  glory  having  departed.  Like  many  other 
promising  cities  in  the  early  years  of  the  nation,  it  has  simply  advanced 
in  population  but  has  retrograded  in  commercial  importance.  From 
1 79 1  to  1846  it  was  a  part  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  but  in  the  latter 
year  Congress  retroceded  it,  with  all  the  lands  of  the  district  on  the 
western  bank  of  the  Potomac,  to  the  State  of  Virginia. 

The  old  Christ  Episcopal  Church  in  Alexandria  is  a  special  object  of 
interest.  It  was  constructed  of  English  bricks,  and  dedicated  in  1765. 
Here  Washington  worshipped  for  many  years,  and  he  was  a  member  of 
its  vestry.  A  writer  says,  "  The  good  people  and  gentry  of  the  vicinage 
were  wont  to  loiter  about  the  church  door  each  Sunday  mornino-  until 
Washington's  equipage  appeared.  When  he  and  his  stately  wife  de- 
scended from  their  capacious  carriage,  very  like  a  modern  stage-coach, 
honest,  modest  farmers  stood  abashed,  with  uncovered  heads,  while  the 
greatest  man  of  any  age  or  country  was  formally  greeted  by  the  *  nobility' 
of  the  district.  Washington  and  his  household  led  the  way,  and  then  the 
throng  entered  the  sanctuary,  in  which  the  services  of  the  Church  of 
England  were  most  reverently  celebrated." 

Washington's  family  pew  in  the  venerable  church  is  preserved.  It 
has  a  high  back  and  three  seats,  two  of  which  face  each  other,  and  the 
third  is  against  the  wall.  Washington  always  occupied  the  wall  seat, 
and  it  is  stated  that  it  was  his  custom  to  "  sit  bolt  upright  and  face  the 
congregation  instead  of  the  pastor." 

By  act  of  the  Maryland  legislature,  in  175 1,  the  laying  out  of  the 
town  of  Georgetown  on  the  Potomac,  above  the  mouth  of  Rock  creek, 
was  authorized,  but  the  town  was  not  incorporated  until  thirty-eight 
years  later.  Many  suppose  it  derives  its  name  from  George  II.,  as  it 
came  into  existence  during  his  reign ;  but  others  aver  that  it  was  named 
after  George,  the  son  of  Ninian  Beall,  who  originally  held  patents  for  the 
land  on  the  "  Rock  of  Dumbarton,"  upon  which  a  considerable  portion 
of  Georgetown  is  built.  It  was  known  as  the  "  town  of  George"  many 
years  before  it  was  incorporated.  At  present  it  is  called  West  Washing- 
ton, as  it  is  a  part  of  the  capital  city.  On  its  steep  heights  are  numerous 
fine  mansions  and  various  institutions.  Formerly  great  ships  from  every 
quarter  of  the  globe  sailed  into  its  harbor  and  its  foreign  commerce  was 
extensive,  but  now  in  place  of  this  are  large  shipments  of  coal,  grain, 
and  flour  to  domestic  ports'.  It  was  in  Georgetown  that  the  plans  and 
arrangements  for  the  laying  out  of  the  city  of  Washington  were  made, 
and  the  ancient  borough  may  be  called  the  godmother  of  the  capital. 

The  Georgetown  College  is  an  important  institution.  Its  history  goes 
back  to  the  past  century.     Founded  by  Bishop   John  Carroll    in   1789, 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


31 


OLD   CHRIST   CHURCH   IN   ALEXANDRIA — WASHINGTON'S   PEW. 


made  a  university  in  181 5,  it  has  advanced  steadily,  until  at  present  it 
is  the  largest  and  most  prominent  Catholic  institution  of  learning  in  the 
United  States.  It  is  under  the  control  of  the  Jesuits,  and  its  students 
are  mainly  from  the  Southern  States.  Besides  its  collegiate  depart- 
ments it  has  schools  of  law  and  medicine.  The  college  buildings  are 
situated  on  the  brow  of  a  hill  overlooking  the  Potomac,  and  the  grounds 
cover  more  than  one  hundred  acres. 

On  January  24,  1791,  six  months  after  Congress  had  passed  the  act 
locating  the  permanent  seat  of  government,  President  Washington  issued 
a  proclamation  defining  the  territory  he  had  selected.  By  his  request 
Congress  amended  the  act,  March  3,   1791,  so  as  -to  include  a   section 


-2  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

of  country  below  Alexandria,  and  on  March  30  the  President  issued  an 
amendatory  proclamation,  in  which  the  Federal  Territory  was  described 
as  follows : 

"  Beginning  at  Jones'  Point,  being  the  upper  cape  of  Hunting  creek 
in  Virginia,  and  at  an  angle  of  45  degrees  west  of  the  north,  and  running 
in  a  direct  line  ten  miles  for  the  first  line ;  then  beginning  again  at  the 
same  Jones'  Point  and  running  another  direct  line  at  a  right  angle  with 
the  first;  then  from  the  terminations  of  the  said  first  and  second  line, 
running  two  other  direct  lines  of  ten  miles  each,  the  one  crossing  the 
Eastern  Branch  and  the  other  the  Potomac,  and  meeting  each  other  in 
a  point." 

The  President  proclaimed  that  "  the  territory  so  to  be  located,  defined, 
and  limited  shall  be  the  whole  territory  accepted  by  the  said  act  of  Con- 
gress as  the  district  for  the  permanent  seat  of  the  government  of  the 
United  States."  It  was  ten  miles  square,  or  one  hundred  square  miles, 
and  contained  64,000  acres.  It  included  one  county  in  Maryland  and  one 
in  Virginia,  with  the  Potomac  flowing  between.  Georgetown  to  the  north 
and  Alexandria  to  the  south  were  in  the  district. 

Three  commissioners  were  appointed  to  run  the  lines  and  survey  and 
lay  out  the  new  Federal  Territory.  They  were  General  Thomas  Johnson 
and  Hon.  Daniel  Carroll,  of  Maryland,  and  Dr.  David  Stuart,  of  Virginia. 
General  Johnson  had  served  with  Washington  all  through  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  and  had  proved  a  gallant  soldier  and  trusty  intimate.  Rather 
brusque  and  impetuous  and  given  often  to  "  strange  oaths,"  he  was,  never- 
theless, of  an  exceedingly  kind  disposition,  and  an  earnest,  faithful  worker. 
Washington  counted  him  among  his  most  devoted  friends,  and  sometimes 
declared  he  believed  "  the  General"  would  go  "  through  fire  and  water"  to 
serve  him.  Daniel  Carroll  was  a  young  man  not  thirty  years  of  age.  He 
was  one  of  the  distinguished  and  numerous  Carroll  family  of  Maryland, 
and  a  good  deal  of  an  aristocrat,  holding  a  large  estate  and  giving  grand 
entertainments  at  his  manor-house.  He  was  a  member  of  Congress,  and 
had  given  hearty  support  to  the  bill  locating  the  capital  on  the  Potomac. 
Dr.  Stuart  practised  medicine  in  Alexandria,  and  was  the  leading  phy- 
sician in  that  section  of  Virginia.  He  had  married  the  widow  of  Major 
John  Parke  Custis,  the  son  of  Martha  Washington  by  her  first  husband, 
and  was  Washington's  family  physician.  He  was  a  benevolent  elderly 
gentleman,  and  a  great  admirer  of  the  classic  poets,  constantly  inter- 
larding his  conversation  with  quotations  from  them. 

These  three  men  entered  upon  their  duty  at  once,  and  on  April  15, 
1 79 1,  they  laid  the  first  boundary  stone  of  the  district  at  Jones'  Point,  in 
Virginia,  after  the  Masonic  form.     An  Alexandria  lodge  of  Masons  con- 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


33 


GEORGETOWN,    SHOWING   THE    AQUEDUCT    BRIDGE. 


ducted  the  ceremony,  which  was  witnessed  by  several  thousand  people 
from  all  the  country  round.  The  commissioners  named  the  district  the 
"Territory  of  Columbia,"  and  it  retained  this  name  for  a  number  of  years; 
and  the  "  Federal  City"  to  be  founded  they  decided  should  be  known  as 
"  The  City  of  Washington." 

The  plan  of  the  city  was  drawn  by  Major  Pierre  Charles  L'Enfant,  a 
French  engineer,  who  had  come  to  the  United  States  from  Paris  in  1777, 
and  had  served  during  the  Revolutionary  war  in  the  French  contingent 
under  the  Count  D'Estaing.  When  the  French  troops  departed  from  the 
country  L'Enfant  remained,  and  became  a  major  of  engineers  in  the  Fed- 
eral army.  He  had  charge  of  the  reconstruction  of  the  old  City  Hall  in 
New  York  when  it  was  prepared  as  a  "  Federal  House"  for  the  First  Con- 
gress, and  had  also  arranged  the  building  in  Philadelphia  occupied  for  the 
same  purpose.  He  had  constructed  for  Robert  Morris,  the  wealthy  mer- 
chant and  statesman  of  Philadelphia,  a  mansion  having  the  first  mansard 
roof  ever  seen  in  America,  and  had  also  designed  and  attended,  to  the 
manufacture  of  the  gold  badge  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati./  In  the 
latter  part  of  1790  he  was  commissioned  by  President  Washington  to 
prepare  the  plan  of  the  new  government  city,  and  in  March,  1791,  Secre- 
tary of  State  Jefferson  wrote  to  him  "to  proceed  to  Georgetown,  where 
you  will  find  Mr.  Ellicott  employed  in  making  a  survey  and  map  of  the 
Federal  Territory."  When  L'Enfant  arrived  in  the  district,  he  "  viewed 
the  ground  on  horseback"  in  company  with  the  President  and  commis- 
sioners, and  immediately  set  to  work  to  perfect  his  plan,  which  he  had 
begun  some  months  before. 


34 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


In  those  days  there  was  in  Georgetown  a  famous  tavern  known  as 
Suter's,  to  which  the  wealthy  planters  of  the  neighboring  country  resorted 
for  entertainment.  It  was  a  long,  low  wooden  building  with  a  slanting 
roof  and  wide  porch,  and  was  kept  by  a  Scotchman  named  John  Suter. 
As  he  was  an  honest,  jovial  host,  and  always  provided  a  bountiful  table, 
his  tavern  was  a  favorite  resort.  Here,  day  after  day  for  several  weeks, 
Washington,  L'Enfant,  and  the  commissioners  met  to  confer  about  the 
plan  of  the  capital  city,  and  here  also  they  met  the  proprietors  of  the 
land,  and  arranged  with  them  for  its  transfer  to  the  government.  Wash- 
ington generally  rode  from  Mount  Vernon  to  Suter's  on  a  spirited  horse, 
which  would  come  galloping  up  the  Alexandria  turnpike  at  a  very  rapid 
pace  to  the  ferry  from  the  Virginia  shore  to  Georgetown.  When  the 
details  of  L'Enfant's  plan  had  been  arranged  he  made  a  finished  drawing 
of  it,  and  it  was  approved  by  the  President,  and  formally  adopted  by  the 
commissioners.  L'Enfant  was  appointed  to  superintend  the  execution 
of  the  plan,  and  he  selected  a  corps  of  assistants,  among  whom  was 
Andrew  Ellicott,  a  young  Pennsylvanian  of  marked  ability  as  a  surveyor. 
Ellicott  afterwards  received  the  title  of  "  Geographer  General." 

In  the  office  of  the  Architect  of  the  Capitol  is  a  torn  and  dingy  paper, 
yellow  and  faded  with  age.  Some  of  its  lines  of  ink  have  entirely  dis- 
appeared, and  others  are  almost  invisible.  One  can  see,  however,  that  it 
was  once  an  elaborate,  elegantly  finished  design  drawn  with  great  skill. 
It  is  the  original  plan  of  the  city  of  Washington  made  by  L'Enfant's  own 
hand,  and  his  writing  upon  it  is  as  fine  and  perfect  as  copper-plate.  The 
government  never  published  the  plan,  as  L'Enfant  carefully  kept  it  until 
his  death,  but  instead  had  engraved  and  widely  circulated  a  plan  made 
by  Ellicott  in  1792.     The  Ellicott  plan  was  drawn  by  him  from  sketches 

he  had  made  of  L'Enfant's  plan  and  from 
information  he  had  obtained  while  surveying 
the  city  under  L'Enfant's  direction.  It  differs 
from  the  original  plan  only  in  what  may  be 
called  minor  details. 

Why  the  government  adopted  the  Ellicott 
plan  can  thus  be  told  :  When  L'Enfant  began 
his  work  of  laying  out  the  city  he  felt  the 
importance  of  his  position  and  believed  he 
had  the  entire  control  of  affairs.  He  arranged 
a  certain  system  of  construction,  and  would 
not  permit  any  one  to  deviate  from  it.  The 
city  was  first  thoroughly  surveyed  and  all 
PIERRE  CHARLES  l'enfant.        thc  liucs  established  in  an  accurate  manner. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL 


^K 


'35 


suter's  tavern  in  1 791. 

No  one  was  allowed  to  build  until  the  survey  was  completed.  The 
government  reservations  were  all  indicated,  the  public  buildings  located, 
the  streets  and  avenues  marked  out,  and  the  whole  city  was  divided 
into  squares  as  nearly  as  possible  of  equal  size.  L'Enfant  had  trouble 
at  once  with  the  landholders,  who  did  not  like  the  precise  system  he 
had  adopted  in  regard  to  the  streets  and  buildings.  He  also  became 
involved  in  quarrels  with  the  commissioners,  who  resented  his  dicta- 
torial manner  and  assumption  of  authority.  They  tried  to  check  and 
control  him,  countermanded  his  orders,  and  called  him  erratic  and 
insubordinate.  One  of  them  even  began  the  erection  of  a  house  directly 
across  an  avenue,  cutting  it  in  two  and  spoiling  it.  L'Enfant  pulled 
down  the  house,  and  this  arbitrary  act  added  fuel  to  the  flame  of  disfavor 
in  which  he  was  held.      At  last  the  commissioners   demanded   that  he 


^ 


36 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


should  submit  his  plan  of  the 
city  to  them,  in  order  that  it 
might  be  engraved  and  pub- 
lished for  the  benefit  of  those 
intending  to  buy  lots  at  the 
government,  sales.  L'Enfant 
refused  to  do  this,  and  defended 
his  action  by  asserting  that  if 
his  plan  was  published  specu- 
lators would  purchase  the  best 
land  in  his  "  vistas  and  archi- 
tectural squares  and  raise  hud- 
dles of  shanties  which  would 
permanently  disfigure  the  city." 
In  consequence  of  this  refusal 
the  President  dismissed  him 
from  the  public  service  March 
1,  1792,  and  Ellicott  was  di- 
rected "  to  go  on  and  finish  the 
laying  off  the  plan  on  the 
ground  and  the  surveying  and  platting  the 
district."  Ellicott  was  also  directed  "  to 
prepare  a  plan  for  publication,  using  the 
materials  gathered  and  the  information 
acquired  while  acting  as  surveyor."  This 
plan  was  engraved  in  the  summer  of  1792  by  Thackara 
&  Vallance  in  Philadelphia,  and  circulated  by  the  govern- 
ment all  over  the  United  States  and  in  England  and 
France.  Some  time  before  his  dismissal  L'Enfant  had 
marked  out  the  streets  and  avenues  in  the  greater  part 
of  the  city,  and  had  indicated  where  the  Capitol,  the 
President's  House,  and  the  other  public  buildings  were  to  stand,  so  that 
it  was  really  very  little  labor  for  Ellicott  to  make  a  plan  in  close  imitation 
of  L'Enfant's. 

On  the  6th  of  March,  1792,  Secretary  of  State  Jefferson  wrote  to  the 
commissioners  in  regard  to  L'Enfant's  dismissal,  and  said,  "  It  is  now 
proper  that  he  should  receive  the  reward  of  his  past  services,  and  that  he 
should  have  no  just  cause  of  discontent,  I  suggest  that  it  should  be 
liberal.  The  President  thinks  ^2500  or  ;^3000,  but  leaves  the  determina- 
tion to  you."  Eight  days  afterwards  the  commissioner  sent  a  letter  to 
L'Enfant  informing  him  that  they  had  ordered  five  hundred  guineas  to  be 


L  ENFANT  S 
GRAVE. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  -,- 

paid  to  him  by  a  banking  firm,  and  had  also  recorded  a  lot  in  the  city  in 
his  name  as  compensation  for  his  services.  L'Enfant  replied  as  follows: 
"  Without  inquiring  the  principle  upon  which  you  suggest  this  offer,  I 
shall  only  here  testify  my  surprise  thereupon,  and  in  testimony  of  my 
intention  to  decline  accepting  of  it  I  hasten  expressing  to  you  my  wish 
and  request  that  you  will  call  back  your  order  for  the  money  and  not  take 
any  further  trouble  about  the  lot." 

So,  refusing  to  receive  any  compensation,  the  designer  of  the  national 
capital,  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven,  retired  from  "  the  work  of  beauty  which 
was  to  him  a  work  of  love,"  a  mortified,  disappointed  man.  And  for 
twenty  years  there  is  but  little  definite  record  of  him.  Alexander  Hamil- 
ton occasionally  wrote  to  him,  and  President  Madison  once  sent  him  a 
commission  as  professor  of  engineering  at  West  Point,  but  the  commis- 
sion was  returned  inscribed,  "  Not  accepted,  but  not  refused."  During 
the  war  of  1812,  L'Enfant  was  chosen  by  James  Monroe,  then  Secretary 
of  War,  to  construct  what  is  now  known  as  Fort  Washington,  on  the 
Potomac.  He  planned  the  work  and  carried  it  on  for  a  time,  but  failing 
to  agree  with  the  War  Department  on  some  details  of  construction,  he 
was  dismissed. 

After  this  L'Enfant  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  at  the  manor-houses 
of  the  Digges  family  in  Maryland,  a  pensioner  on  their  bounty.  About 
six  months  before  he  died  he  resided  with  Dudley  Digges  on  the  Chellum 
Castle  estate  near  Bladensburg,  and  about  five  miles  from  Washington. 
Here,  on  the  4th  of  June,  1824,  he  died  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age, 
and  was  buried  in  the  garden  of  the  estate,  but  no  stone  was  placed  above 
his  grave.  And  to-day  the  last  resting-place  of  this  unfortunate  man  of 
genius  is  marked  only  by  a  tall  cedar-tree  inclining  over  a  bank  covered 
with  myrtle. 

L'Enfant  in  his  latter  years  was  occasionally  seen  in  the  streets  of  the 
city  he  had  designed,  and  is  remembered  as  a  man  of  medium  height,  with 
a  bright,  intellectual  face  and  courteous  manner.  He  usually  wore  a  blue 
frock-coat  of  antique  fashion  and  a  bell-crowned  hat.  Time  has  fully 
established  the  great  merit  of  his  plan,  and  it  is  a  recognized  fact  that 
by  means  of  it  Washington  has  been  able  to  develop  into  a  beautiful 
metropolis. 


CHAPTER    III. 


\ 

1 
i 


THE  ORIGINAL  LANDHoiD^RS^OF  _WASHINGTaN-::THEIR  AGREEMENT  WITH  THE 
GOVERNMENT-DAVID  BURNs'InD  HIS  DAUGHTER-GENERAL  VAN  NESS-THE 
LANDS  OF  NOTLEY  YOUNG.  GEORGE  WALKER,  AND  SAMUEL  DAVIDSON-DUDDING- 
TON  MANOR-DANIEL  CARROLL'S  DREAM  OF  WEALTH-SPECULATIONS  IN  CITY 
LOTS-ERECTING  THE  PUBLIC  BUILDINGS-WASHINGTON  IN  1800,  WHEN  THE 
GOVERNMENT  TOOK  POSSESSION. 

ilT  is  not  difficult  to  conceive  of  the  embarrassment  under  which 
President  Washington  and  the  commissioners  labored  in  deal- 
ing with  the  proprietors  of  the  land  lying  within  the  bounds 
of'' the   Federal  City,  and  one  can   readily   believe  that  the 
President  must  have  frequently  gone  to  his  Virginia  home  after  a  day's 
conflict  with    these    rapacious   persons  thoroughly   disgusted  with  their 
narrow-mindedness  and  entire  lack  of  public   spirit.     The   records  very 
clearly  show  that,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  they  were  a  grasping  set, 
bent  only  on  their  own  personal  advantage,  and  that  every  concession  to 
the  public  good  had  to  be  drawn  from  them  by  "  main  strength."     They 
were  mostly  small  planters  who  had  inherited  their  lands  from  the  first 
settlers  of  the  district,  and  whose  lives  had  been  exceedingly  common  and 
obscure  until  the  location  of  the  capital  had  brought  them  into  notice. 
Their  lands  were  of  no  special  value,  and  before  the  coming  of  the  gov- 
ernment among  them  could  probably  have  been  purchased  for  a  small 
sum-  but  as  soon  as  they  ascertained  that  the  splendid  prize  so  eagerly 
contended  for  by  the  prominent  cities  was  within  their  grasp  they  became 
inflamed  with  a  raging  fever  for  wealth  and  aggrandizement,  and  this  fever 
constantly  increasing  by  the  oft-repeated  stories  that  the  national  city  was 
likely  in  a  short  time  to  exceed  New  York  in  population  and  importance, 
consumed  all  their  generous  feelings  and  left  them  sordid  and  difficult  to 
deal  with.     For  weeks  there  was  a  conflict  .over  the  lands,  and  almost 
daily  Suter's  tavern  was  the  scene  of  bitter  contentions  between  the  com- 
missioners and  land-owners,  which  even  the  presence  of  Washington  did 
not  abate.     David  Burns,  a  vulgar  old  Scotchman,  who  was  one  of  the 
lar-est  owners,  took  occasion  one  day  to  insult  the  President  by  saying, 

39 


.Q  THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

in  reply  to  one  of  his  arguments  in  favor  of  the  proposed  transfer  of  the 
lands  to  the  government,  "I  suppose,  Mr.  Washington,  you  think  people 
are  going  to  take  every  grist  from  you  as  pure  grain  ;  but  what  would  you 
have  been  if  you  hadn't  married  the  rich  widow  Custis  ?"  History  fails 
to  record  Washington's  reception  of  this  piece  of  impertinence,  but  it  is 
recorded  that  he  would  never  have  anything  further  to  do  with  "  that 
obstinate  Mr.  Burns,"  as  he  designated  the  audacious  planter. 

Finally,  after  a  great  deal  of  toil  and  trouble,  the  principal  proprietors 
of  the  lands  signed  the  following  agreement,  and  it  was  recorded  by  the 
commissioners,  April  I2,  1791  • 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  in  consideration  of  the  great  benefits  we  expect 
to  derive  from  having  the  Federal  City  laid  off  upon  our  lands,  do  hereby 
agree  and  bind  ourselves,  heirs,  executors,  and  administrators,  to  convey 
in  trust,  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  or  commissioners,  or  such 
person  or  persons  as  he  shall  appoint,  by  good  and  sufficient  deeds,  in  fee 
simple,  the  whole  of  our  respective  lands  which  he  may  think  proper  to 
include  within  the  lines  of  the  Federal  City,  for  the  purposes  and  on  the 
conditions  following : 

"The  President  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  directing  the  Federal 
City  to  be  laid  off  in  what  manner  he  pleases. 

"  He  may  retain  any  number  of  squares  he  may  think  proper  for 
public  improvements  or  other  public  uses ;  and  the  lots  only,  which 
shall  be  laid  off,  shall  be  a  joint  property  between  the  trustees  on 
behalf  of  the  public  and  each  present  proprietor;  and  the  same  shall 
be  fairly  and  equally  divided  between  the  public  and  the  individuals,  as 
soon  as  may  be,  the  city  shall  be  laid  off 

"  For  the  streets  the  proprietors  shall  receive  no  compensation,  but  for 
the  squares  or  lands  in  any  form  which  shall  be  taken  for  public  buildings, 
or  any  kind  of  public  improvements  or  uses,  the  proprietors,  whose  lands 
shall  be  taken,  shall  receive  at  the  rate  of  25  pounds  per  acre  (sixty-six 
and  two-thirds  dollars),  to  be  paid  by  the  public." 

Thomas  Beall  and  John  Mackall  Gantt  were  named  by  the  President  as 
trustees  under  the  agreement,  and  the  lands  were  conveyed  to  them.  In 
effect  the  proprietors  agreed  to  give  the  government  all  the  lands  required 
for  the  highways,  and  to  sell  the  lands  selected  for  public  buildings  and 
reservations  for  twenty-five  pounds  (Maryland  money)  per  acre.  One-half 
of  the  amount  realized  at  the  government  sales  of  lots  was  also  to  be  paid 
to  them.  Certain  of  their  lands,  after  the  city  had  been  laid  out  and  the 
public  reservations  established,  were  conveyed  back  to  them. 

Twenty  years  before  the  capital  was  located  in  this  district  two 
attempts  had  been  made  to  found  hamlets  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


4i 


JBt^      - 


.nr. 


DAVID   burns'    cabin   AND   THE   VAN   NESS   MANSION. 


liiii 


Potomac,  a  short  distance  south  of  Georgetown. 
Jacob  Funk,  a  German  farmer,  in  1770,  had  laid 
out  a  tract  he  possessed  near  where  the  Naval 
Observatory  now  stands,  but  had  succeeded  in  getting  only  a  few  people 
to  settle  on  his  land.  The  hamlet  was  called  Funkstown  at  first,  and 
afterwards  Hamburg,  but  it  was  little  more  than  a  Southern  "  four  cor- 
ners," and  its  inhabitants  were  retired  sailors  and  farmers.  About  two 
miles  below  Hamburg,  beginning  at  what  is  now  Greenleaf's  Point,  and 
extending  along  the  Anacostia  or  Eastern  Branch  of  the  Potomac,  Charles 
Carroll,  the  father  of  Daniel  Carroll,  had  started  a  settlement.  He  had 
surveyed  and  platted  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  pleasantly 
situated  on  the  river-bank,  but  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  had  been 
unable  to  induce  more  than  a  half-dozen  families  to  reside  in  what  he  had 
named  Carrollsburg.  These  small  settlements  were  embraced  in  the  area 
selected  for  the  capital  of  the  nation,  but  they  were  not  encumbrances  to 

its  location. 

There  were  nineteen  prominent  land-owners  in  the  district  when  it 
was  taken  by  the  government  and  a  considerable  number  of  small  owners, 
but  nothing  of  consequence  can  be  learned  of  any  of  them  except  David 


42 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


Burns,  Daniel  Carroll,  Notley  Young,  George  Walker,  Samuel  Da\'idson, 
and  two  or  three  others,  and  only  scanty  records  of  these  men  have  .sur- 
vived the  passage  of  time.  The  houses  of  Burns  and  Carroll  are  standing, 
and  are  about  the  only  memorials  remaining  of  that  by-gone  age..  Burns 
from  all  accounts  was  a  coarse,  illiterate  planter  of  a  surly  disposition,  and 
hard,  obstinate,  and  selfish  in  his  dealings  with  his  fellows.  His  plantation 
comprised  the  land  extending  from  the  Potomac  near  the  preseat  '-ite 
of  the  Washington  Monument  to  what  is  now  New  York  avenue,  and 
covered  the  square  on  which  the  White  House  and  Treasury  are  located, 
and  when  his  broad  acres  were  platted  into  "  city  lots"  he  became  a  very 
rich  man.  His  elevation  to  wealth  did  not  cause  him  to  change  his  man- 
ner of  living,  and  until  his  death,  in  1799,  he  continued  to  occupy  the  mean 
little  cabin  on  the  edge  of  the  river  where  he  had  lived  all  his  life.  Burns 
was  fond  of  fiery  potations,  and  it  has  been  said  that  the  only  change  S'^eti 
in  him  after  he  had  plenty  of  money  was  that  "  he  took  his  bottle  ■'.) 
Georgetown  oftener." 

He  had  a  daughter,  Marcia,  a  lively,  beautiful  girl,  with  frank,  engag- 
ing manners.  She  received  a  good  education  in  Baltimore,  and  was  said 
to  have  been  the  only  person  who  could  induce  "  Crusty  Davie"  to  5,  ;eld 
a  particle  when  he  had  made  up  his  mind  about  anything.  She  vvas 
born  in  1782,  and  was  an  only  child.  All  the  Burns'  estate  came  into  her 
possession  when  she  had  reached  her  majority,  and  she  was  looked  upon 
as  a  great  matrimonial  prize,  suitors  from  far  and  near  seeking  her  favor. 
She  found  a  husband  to  her  liking  in  the  person  of  General  John  P. 
Van  Ness,  the  son  of  Peter  Van  Ness,  a  Hollander  and  well-to-do  farmer 
of  Kinderhook,  New  York.     General  Van  Ness  was  a  member  of  Con- 

pfress  when  he  married  Marcia  Burns  in 
1802,  but  a  year  later  he  was  expelled 
from  the  House  of  Representatives  be- 
cause he  had  accepted  the  commission 
of  general  of  the  militia  of  the  District 
of  Columbia  which  h^d  been  tendered 
him  by  President  Jefferson.  He  became 
a  resident  of  the  district  and  continued 
so  during  his  long  life,  taking  a  leading 
part  in  its  business,  political,  and  social 
^  affairs,  and  doing  a  great  deal  to  advance 
its  prosperity.  He  was  mayor  of  Wash- 
ington in  1830,  and  held  other  offices  of 
•trust  and  honor. 
MARCIA  BURNS  VAN  NESS.  Vau  Ncss  was  a  dashing,  brilliant,  free- 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


43 


^^f??=^OV;^^<^'>'^^-"';- -  ll'^??"*?^ 


DUDDINGTON    MANOR-HOUSE 

hearted  man,  could  sing  well  a 
good  story,  and  was  a  favorite  in  society. 
He  built  a  fine  mansion  on  the  grounds 

where  Burns'  cabin  was  and  within  a  few  feet  of  it,  and  gave  grand  enter- 
tainments, which  were  the  social  sensations  of  the  day.  Latrobe,  the 
famous  architect,  constructed  the  mansion  at  a  cost  of  1^35,000,  and  laid 
out  the  grounds  after  the  English  style  of  landscape  gardening.  Presi- 
dents and  statesmen  and  eminent  foreigners  were  entertained,  and  the 
proceeds  of  many  a  city  lot  vanished  in  high  living.  Mrs.  Van  Ness 
was  a  fascinating  woman,  with  a  heart  full  of  love  and  kindness  for  all 
creatures.  She  would  never  allow  the  old  cabin  in  which  her  father  had 
lived  to  be  removed,  and  was  so  little  ashamed  of  it  and  her  humble 
origin  that  she  would  frequently  invite  her  distinguished  guests  to  inspect 
its  low,  narrow  rooms.  In  1815  she  founded  the  Washington  Orphan 
Asylum,  which  has  been  successfully  continued  to  this  day.     She  died  m 


44  THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

1832,  but  her  husband  survived  her  fourteen  years,  dying  at  the  age  of 
seventy-nine.  As  there  was  no  direct  issue,  what  was  left  of  the  Burns* 
estate  passed  to  collateral  heirs. 

Another  of  the  land-owners  who  acquired  wealth  was  Notley  Young, 
a  retired  English  sea-captain,  whose  estate  comprised  much  of  the  river 
front  below  Long  Bridge  and  extended  to  the  centre  of  the  city.  He 
leased  a  large  part  of  his  land  on  good  terms,  and  had  a  fine  revenue 
from  the  leases.  He  lived  in  a  spacious  brick  mansion  situated  in  the 
southern  quarter  of  Washington,  on  an  elevation  near  the  river,  and 
around  the  mansion  for  a  long  distance  was  a  beautiful  lawn  filled  with 
beds  of  flowers  and  trees  with  expansive  foliage.  After  his  death  his 
heirs  transferred  the  building  to  the  government,  and  it  was  demolished 
in  order  to  extend  a  street. 

George  Walker  and  Samuel  Davidson  were  Scotchmen ;  and  one  was 
a  farmer  and  the  other  a  merchant  at  Georgetown.  Walker's  farm  com- 
prised about  four  hundred  acres  in  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  city,  and 
some  of  it  was  sold  at  large  prices  at  first.  He  erected  a  fine  residence, 
married  the  daughter  of  Daniel  Craufurd,  a  wealthy  planter  of  Prince 
George's  County,  Maryland,  and  began  to  live  in  luxury.  He  believed 
he  could  become  a  millionaire  by  land  speculations,  so  he  mortgaged  his 
farm  and  purchased  other  lands  at  fancy  prices ;  but  his  lovely  young 
wife  died ;  he  became  involved  in  lawsuits  with  the  commissioners,  his 
speculations  proved  disastrous,  and  he  was  stripped  of  the  greater  part  of 
his  property.  Mourning  over  blighted  hopes  and  affections  he  returned 
to  Scotland,  where  he  soon  after  died. 

Davidson  closely  attended  to  his  little  shop  at  Georgetown  and  escaped 
the  fever  of  speculation  prevailing  at  the  time.  His  lands  ranged  over 
what  is  now  the  fashionable  West  End,  at  that  time,  and  even  for  seventy 
years  afterwards,  a  dreary,  valueless  region  of  marshes  and  hillocks.  He 
owned  the  land  on  which  Lafayette  Park  is  situated,  and  had  a  fierce 
and  prolonged  contest  with  the  commissioners  when  they  determined  to 
reserve  it  for  a  park.  He  desired  to  have  it  platted  and  sold  for  building 
lots,  well  knowing  that  its  location,  opposite  the  front  of  the  President's 
House,  would  enable  him  to  realize  a  large  amount  of  money.  But  the 
commissioners  were  inexorable,  and  fortunately  saved  this  attractive  spot 
for  public  use.  Davidson  died  in  18 10,  and  his  heir  straightway  traded 
fthe  West  End  property  for  land  in  another  section  which  was  never 
worth  the  taxes  upon  it. 

The  most  prominent  and  also  the  most  unfortunate  of  all  the  original 
land-owners  was  Daniel  Carroll,  of  Duddington  Manor,  and  his  career  is 
a  remarkable  exemplification  of  the  truth  of  the  French  saying,  "  The  un- 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


45 


accui 


COMMODORE   DECATUR'S    HOUSE   AND   TOMB. 


•ens."  Carroll 
late  millions : 
he  died  almost  a  pauper.  He  had 
the  largest  estate  of  any  of  the 
land-owners,  and  plenty  of  ready 
money  to  begin  operations  with 
when  the  city  sprang  into  being, 
and  was  an  educated,  capable  man 
with  strong  social  and  political  influence.  He  had  labored  and  schemed 
to  have  the  seat  of  government  fixed  on  the  Potomac,  and,  as  a  member  of 
the  First  Congress,  made  great  efforts  and  used  all  his  family  influence  to 
accomplish  this  result.  He  was  one  of  the  first  commissioners,  and  there- 
fore in  a  position  to  impel  the  affairs  of  the  city  towards  his  own  interests. 
He  was  able  to  have  the  southeastern  quarter  of  Washington,  where  his 
lands  were  situated,  made  for  a  time  the  principal  quarter,  and  also  able 
to  locate  the  Capitol  on  the  brow  of  a  hill  which  he  owned.  None  of  the 
other  original  proprietors  started  in  the  race  for  wealth  so  thoroughly 
equipped,  and  none  made  such  a  calamitous  finish.     David  Burns,  who  is 


46 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


said  to  have  been  greatly  exasperated  because  the  government  came  to 
disturb  his  peace  and  destroy  his  farm,  and  who  was  the  longest  to  hold 
out  against  the  transfer  of  the  lands,  died  very  wealthy.  Notley  Young, 
Samuel  Davidson,  and  George  Walker  were  raised  from  limited  means 
to  affluence,  and  the  other  proprietors,  or  their  heirs,  reaped  a  golden 
harvest.  But  Daniel  Carroll,  the  statesman  and  polished  gentleman,  and 
the  land-owner  who  had  the  greatest  expectations,  was  completely  dis- 
tanced in  the  race  by  illiterate  farmers  and  fishermen,  who  had  never 
made  an  effort  to  secure  the  location  of  the  capital  on  their  lands. 

At  first  Carroll's  prospects  were  bright.  He  sold  a  portion  of  his 
estate  to  speculators  for  a  round  sum,  partly  in  promissory  notes,  which 
were  mostly  repudiated  afterwards,  and  erected  a  great  brick  mansion 
which  he  called  "  Duddington,"  and  furnished  it  in  a  style  of  magnificence 
unusual  in  those  days.  A  sanguine  speculator  offered  him  half  a  million 
dollars  for  the  remainder  of  his  property,  but  he  laughed  at  the  offer  and 
named  ten  times  that  amount  as  the  price.  The  hamlet  of  Carrollsburg, 
which  his  father  had  founded,  and  the  spacious  fields  he  had  planted 
with  corn  and  wheat,  Daniel  platted  into  narrow  lots,  affixed  high  prices 
to  them,  and  confidently  waited  the  coming  of  a  throng  of  purchasers. 
Not  content  with  his  own  estate,  ample  as  it  was,  he  made  speculative  in- 
vestments in  other  city  property,  gave  notes  and  mortgages,  and  assumed 
heavy  obligations.  And  then  he  was  too  willing  to  "  help  a  lame  dog 
over  a  stile."  He  was  too  good-natured,  and  could  seldom  say  no  when 
embarrassed  speculators  asked  him  to  endorse  their  notes  or  become 
responsible  for  them.  He  was  but  a  young  man  when  all  this  land  fever 
was  raging, — a  rather  conceited,  showy  youth,  but  with  a  good  brain 
and  kind  heart, — too  kind,  indeed,  to  be  a  match  for  the  host  of  sharpers 
who  had  come  from  the  great  cities  to  the  new  capital  seeking  whom 
they  might  devour.  Carroll  was  ambitious  to  be  an  aristocrat  after  the 
manner  of  other  members  of  the  prolific  Maryland  family,  and  he  gave 
splendid  dinners  and  balls  at  Duddington,  and  with  his  wife  went  full 
tilt  into  the  fashionable  lists.  They  wasted  a  great  deal  of  money  in 
entertaining  dignitaries  and  leaders  of  society,  and  he  lived  to  see  the 
time  when  the  sum  he  had  often  carelessly  expended  for  a  single  enter- 
tainment would  have  saved  him  from  severe  distress. 

The  high  prices  for  Carroll's  lots  on  Capitol  Hill  kept  purchasers 
away.  Those  who  wanted  land  for  actual  settlement  and  not  for  specula- 
tion went  into  the  northwestern  section  of  the  city,  and  made  their  pur- 
chases of  Burns  and  Young  and  others  for  less  money,  set  up  their  homes 
and  stores,  and  so,  after  a  while,  this  section  became  the  centre  and  popu- 
lar part  of  Washington.     Carroll's  lots  remained  on  his  hands.     His  taxes 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


A7 


were  high,  and  the  interest  on  his  obligations  was  an  enormous  burden. 
He  struggled  manfully  month  after  month  to  stem  the  current  which  was 
flowing  perilously  against  him.  He  transferred  his  manor-house  and  the 
square  of  four  acres  on  which  it  was  situated,  to  a  relative  in  order  to  save  a 
shelter  for  his  family,  and  after  a  desperate  effort  to  retrieve  his  fortune  was 
forced  to  relax  his  hold  of  the  great  estate,  and  it  passed  into  other  hands. 

Carroll  lived  until  1849,  the  last  survivor  of  the  original  proprietors  of 
Washington,  long  life  being  granted  to  him  even  if  riches  were  denied. 
Latrobe  built  the  "  Duddington  House"  in  1792,  and  it  is  now  standing  in 
good  condition.  The  father  of  Carroll  was  a  relative  of  Charles  Carroll 
of  CarroUton,  and  Bishop  John  Carroll,  who  founded  the  Georgetown 
College,  was  Daniel's  brother. 

Many  other  men  besides  Carroll  were  ruined  in  the  land  speculations 
in  the  early  years  of  the  city,  and  among  the  prominent  ones  were  James 
Greenleaf,  Samuel  Blodget,  Thomas  Law,  and  James  Lingan.  And  it  is 
not  strange  that  men  were  ruined,  for  everybody  predicted  that  this  new 
government  metropolis  would  be  a  great  and  splendid  place  in  a  very  short 
time ;  that  it  would  have  at  least  150,000  people  in  ten  years,  and  probably 
half  a  million  before  a  third  of  the  nineteenth  century  had  rolled  away. 
No  prediction  was  too  extravagant  for  belief;  no  story  of  future  great- 
ness too  romantic  to  be  listened  to.  Even  the  sober,  sagacious  Father 
of  his  Country  was  affected  by  the  enthusiasm  that  prevailed,  and  wrote 
glowing  predictions  that  have  not  been  fulfilled.  Men  who  owned  land, 
or  could  buy  it  no  matter  at  what  price,  were  considered  sure  to  be 
wealthy,  and  those  who  would  not  invest  in  the  swamps,  hills,  and  guUeys 
which  then  consti- 
tuted the  principal  .^^-^.^irr 
part  of  the  city,  were 
looked  upon  as  very 
stupid  persons.  At 
the  government  sales 
of  lots,  which  began 
October  17,  179 1,  and 
continued  at  short  in- 
tervals for  a  number 
of  months,  there  were 
crowds  of  speculators 
from  different  sections 
of  the  United  States, 
and  large  prices  were 
obtained.  the  president's  house  in  1800. 


-- 1 


48 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


STATUE  OF  GENERAL  NATHANIEL  GREENE. 


When  the  government  had  secured  a  considerable  sum  of  money  from 
the  sales,  the  erection  of  the  public  buildings  was  begun.  The  city  had 
to  be  ready  for  the  use  of  Congress  and  the  government  officials  in  1800, 
and  there  was  much  to  be  done  in  a  few  years.  On  the  13th  of  October, 
1792,  the  corner-stone  of  the  President's  House  was  laid,  and  on  the  i8th 
-•♦-ember,  1793,  that  of  the  Capitol.  The  construction  of  these  im- 
porcant  buildings  was  carried  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible,  but  there 
were  delays  at  various  times  on  account  of  a  lack  of  funds.  Congress 
made  little  efifor'^  "^o  aid  tiie  President  in  the  building  operations,  and  had 
it  not  been  for  the  gift";  and  loans  made  by  the  States  of  Maryland  and 
Virginia,  the  work  would  doubtless  have  been  indefinitely  suspended. 
Hardly  anything  was  done  to  make  the  ci^ty  attractive,  and  when  the 
government  took  possession  of  it  there  was  nothing  t--.  indicate  in  the 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  .g 

"  dismal  wilderness"  that  Washington  then  was  that  it  was  ever  likely  to 
be  "  a  city  of  unparalleled  magnificence,"  as  had  been  enthusiastically 
predicted. 

No  better  description  of  Washington  as  it  appeared  in  1800  can  be 
given  than  that  written  by  John  Cotton  Smith,  at  that  time  a  member 
of  Congress  from  Connecticut  He  wrote :  "  Our  approach  to  the  city 
was  accompanied  with  sensations  not  easily  described.  One  wing  of 
the  Capitol  only  had  been  erected,  which,  with  the  President's  House, 
a  mile  distant  from  it,  both  constructed  with  white  sandstone,  were 
shining  objects  in  dismal  contrast  with  the  scene  around  them.  Instead 
of  recognizing  the  avenues  and  streets  portrayed  on  the  plan  of  the  city, 
not  one  was  visible,  unless  we  except  a  road,  with  two  buildings  on  each 
side  of  it,  called  the  New  Jersey  avenue.  The  Pennsylvania  avenue, 
leading,  as  laid  down  on  paper,  from  the  Capitol  to  the  Presidential 
mansion,  was  nearly  the  whole  distance  a  deep  morass  covered  with 
elder  bushes,  which  were  cut  through  to  the  President's  House ;  and 
near  Georgetown  a  block  of  houses  had  been  erected  which  bore  the 
name  of  the  *  six  buildings.'  There  were  also  two  other  blocks  con- 
sisting of  two  or  three  dwelling-houses  in  different  directions,  and  now 
and  then  an  insulated  wooden  habitation;  the  intervening  spaces,  and, 
indeed,  the  surface  of  the  city  generally,  being  covered  with  scrub-oak 
bushes  on  the  higher  grounds,  and  on  the  marshy  soil  either  trees  or 
some  sort  of  shrubbery.  The  desolate  aspect  of  the  place  was  not  a 
little  augmented  by  a  number  of  unfinished  edifices  at  Greenleaf's 
Point,  and  on  an  eminence  a  short  distance  from  it,  commenced  by  an 
individual  whose  name  they  bore,  but  the  state  of  whose  funds  com- 
pelled him  to  abandon  them.  There  appeared  to  be  but  two  really 
comfortable  habitations  in  all  respects  within  the  bounds  of  the  city, 
one  of  which  belonged  to  Daniel  Carroll  and  the  other  to  Notley  Young. 
The  roads  in  every  direction  were  muddy  and  unimproved.  In  short,  it 
was  a  new  settlement," 


CHAPTER     IV. 

FIRST  YEARS  OF  THE  CAPITAL-EVENTS  OF  INTEREST-THE  INVASION  BY  BRITISH 
TROOPS-ANCIENT  SOCIAL  LIFE  AND  CUSTOMS-THE  WELCOME  TO  LAFAYETTE- 
FROM  1830  TO  1861-THE  CITY  DURING  THE  CIVIL  WAR-LINES  OF  DEFENCES- 
EARLY'S  RAID-DEATH  OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN-GRAND  REVIEW  OF  THE  UNION 
ARMY-IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  CITY-GOVERNOR  SHEPHERD  AND  HIS  WORK. 

URING  the  month  of  October,  1800,  the  government  took  pos- 
session of  Washington.  The  arrival  of  the  officials  created  a 
great  excitement  among  the  three  thousand  inhabitants,  many 
of  whom  had  been  inclined  to  credit  a  current  report  that  the 
government  would  never  leave  Philadelphia,  where  it  had  been  pleasantly 
located  for  ten  years.  When  the  little  "packet-sloop,"  bringing  the 
records  and  furniture  of  the  departments,  and  some  of  the  officials,  was 
seen  slowly  sailing  up  the  Potomac,  most  of  the  people  of  the  city 
gathered  on  the  river-bank  and  gave  the  vessel  a  hearty  welcome.  On 
the  following  day  the  chief  officials  arrived  by  stages  from  Baltimore,  and 
within  a  short  time  the  government  was  settled  in  its  permanent  home. 
John  Adams  was  President ;  John  Marshall,  Secretary  of  State ;  Oliver 
Wolcott,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury ;  Samuel  Dexter,  Secretary  of  War ; 
and  Benjamin  Stoddert,  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  The  President's  House 
was  in  good  condition  for  occupancy,  and  the  small  buildings  erected  for 
the  executive  departments  were  nearly  finished.  One  wing  of  the  Capitol 
was  done  and  ready  for  Congress,  which  began  its  session  in  November. 

The  "  wilderness  city,"  as  Mrs.  Adams  called  Washington,  proved  to 
be  a  very  lonesome  place  to  the  officials  after  their  agreeable  life  in 
Philadelphia,  and  they  gave  free  vent  to  their  feelings  of  disgust  in  letters 
which  were  printed  in  the  newspapers  of  the  prominent  cities.  Nearly  all 
had  something  to  say  in  derision  of"  Washington's  city  on  the  Potomac." 
It  was  called  "a  city  of  magnificent  distances"  set  in  "a  mud-hole  almost 
equal  to  the  great  Serbonian  bog."  It  was  said  to  be  "a  capital  of 
miserable  huts,"  and  "  a  city  of  streets  without  houses,"  and  that  it  did 
not  possess  "  one  solitary  attractive  feature."  Those  who  had  opposed  its 
location  were  merry  over  "  its  exceedingly  mean  and  disgusting  appear- 

51 


52 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


THE   "GREAT   HOTEL"    IN    1 793. 

ance,"  apparently  forgetting  that  Congress  had  given  scant  aid  to  the 
commissioners  in  the  work  of  construction,  and  had  left  them  to  depend 
for  money  almost  entirely  o-n  chance  gifts  and  the  proceeds  of  the  land 
sales.  When  one  reads  the  record  of  the  vexatious  delays  in  erecting  the 
public  buildings  and  improving  the  highways  for  lack  of  means,  of  the 
quarrels  among  those  in  authority,  of  the  jealousy  and  opposition  con- 
stantly displayed,  the  wonder  is  not  that  the  capital  city  was  a  mean, 
dismal  place  in  1800  and  only  fitted  to  be  the  laughing-stock  of  the 
country,  but  that  its  builders  should  have  been  able  in  the  face  of  the 
obstacles  they  encountered  to  make  it  bear  the  slightest  semblance  to  a 
city. 

Satire  and  opposition  could  not  prevent  the  city  from  growing.  Its 
growth  was  very  slow  compared  to  what  had  been  expected,  but  it  was 
sure  and  steady  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1810  it  had  a  population  of 
8208,  and  in  1820  a  population  of  13,474.  By  this  time  the  extravagant 
expectations  of  its  friends  had  subsided,  but  the  opposition  of  its  enemies 
continued  without  abatement.  All  through  its  early  years  it  was  obliged 
to  meet  the  sneers  of  Congress,  the  sarcasm  of  Northern  writers,  and  the 
general  indifference  of  the  American  people,  who  never  seemed  to  care 
what  manner  of  city  it  became. 

Jonathan  Elliot,  who  wrote  more  than  fifty  years  ago  the  first  really 
good  account  of  the  city,  says  in  his  little  book,  "  President  Jefferson  did 
much  to  further  the  prosperity  of  the  city  by  procuring  grants  of  money 
for  carrying  on  the  public  buildings ;  he  also  gave  encouragement  to  all 
the  improvements  brought  forward  during  his  administration.  He  caused 
Pennsylvania  avenue  to  be  opened  and  planted  with  trees.  President 
Madison  was  also  friendly  to  the  city,  but  owing  to  restrictions  on  com- 
merce and  the  subsequent  war  during  his  administration  little  progress 
was  made  in  the  public  works.  But  it  was  in  the  administration  of 
President  Monroe  that  the  most  extensive  and  valuable   improvements 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


53 


were  made  in  every  part  of  the  city,  and  the  public  money  expended  on 
the  national  works  with  the  greatest  liberality." 

Mr.  Elliot  gives  also  an  interesting  statement  of  the  receipts  and 
expenditures  of  the  government  on  account  of  the  city  up  to  1820,  in 
order,  as  he  says,  "to  correct  a  prevailing  error  that  the  city  has  been  and 
continues  to  be  a  burden  to  the  United  States."  He  gives  the  receipts  as 
follows :  "  From  lots  sold  by  the  United  States,  ^700,000;  donations  from 
the  States  of  Maryland  and  Virginia,  ;$  192,000;  value  of  5150  building 
lots  averaging  5000  feet  each,  at  6^^  cents  per  foot,  ;^  1,509, 375  ;  five  hun- 
dred and  forty-one  acres  of  reserved  grounds,  distributed  in  such  manner 
as  to  give  the  government  possession  of  the  most  beautiful  parts  of  the 
city,  estimated  at  10  cents  per  foot,  ;^2, 356,596;  free-stone  quarry,  wharves, 
and  water  lots,  ^40,000;  total,  ^4,898,971."  The  expenditures  for  the 
public  buildings,  etc.,  are  given  at  $1,214,286,  which  would  leave  a  large 
balance  in  favor  of  the  city. 

Congress  assumed  the  jurisdiction  of  the  District  of  Columbia  in  1801. 
On  May  3,  1802,  an  act  of  incorporation  was  granted  to  the  city  of  Wash- 
ington, which  allowed  the  citizens  to  elect  a  city  council,  but  put  the 
appointment  of  the  mayor  in  the  hands  of  the  President.  As  there  was 
much  dissatisfaction  with  this  method  of  choosing  the  executive.  Congfress 
in  a  few  years,  gave  the  people  the  right  to  elect  their  mayor.  The 
municipal  form  of  government  was  continued  until  1871,  when  Congress 
repealed  the  city  charter  and  established  a  territorial  government,  which 
remained  until  1874,  when  three  commissioners  were  appointed  to  have 
charge   of  the  district.      The   government  by  commissioners  under  the 

supervision  of  Congress,  which  was 
the  original  plan  adopted,  has  been 
continued  to  the  present  time. 


LONG    BRIDGE. 


^.  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

In  the  first  decade  of  the  city  the  officials  of  the  government  numbered 
only  about  one  hundred  persons,  and  the  annual  appropriation  for  the  civil 
service  was  less  than  half  a  million  dollars,  not  enough  to  pay  the  daily 
expenses  of  the  host  of  people  who  now  perform  the  government  work. 
The  President  received  a  salary  of  ;^2 5,000,  and  the  Vice-President, 
;^5000.  The  annual  cost  of  Congress  was  about  ;^  150,000,  now  it  costs 
$3,000,000.  The  expenses  of  the  Treasury  Department  were  $55,000; 
of  the  Department  of  State,  $6300;  of  the  War  and  Navy  Departments, 
$11,000.  There  were  six  justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  the  Chief 
Justice  received  $4000,  and  the  associates,  $3500  each.  The  pension  list 
only  amounted  to  $6000  a  year,  now  it  is  $60,000,000.  Truly  those 
were  the  days  of  small  things. 

Before  the  government  removed  to  Washington  several  hotels  were 
established  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  the  largest  of  which  was  the  "  Union 
Pacific  Hotel,"  or,  as  it  was  more  commonly  called,  the  "  Great  Hotel." 
It  was  erected  in  1793  by  Samuel  Blodget,  on  the  square  now  occupied 
by  the  Post-Office  Department,  but  as  he  lost  all  his  money  in  land  specu- 
lations, he  disposed  of  the  great  brick  building  by  means  of  a  lottery.  It 
was  not  entirely  finished  until  the  government  purchased  it,  in  18 10,  for 
the  post-office  and  patent-office.  The  Thirteenth  Congress  held  a  session 
in  it  after  the  Capitol  had  been  destroyed  by  the  British,  and  on  December 
15,  1836,  it  was  burned  to  the  ground,  the  government  losing  by  the  fire 
all  its  collections  of  patent  models  which  had  been  accumulating  for  many 
years. 

There  was  also  a  "Little  Hotel,"  erected  in  1795,  which  had  a  good 
deal  of  popularity.  The  most  popular  hotel,  however,  was  the  "  Metro- 
politan Hotel,"  which  stood  in  the  square  on  Pennsylvania  avenue 
where  the  present  hotel  of  the  same  name  now  stands.  In  1820  its 
name  was  changed  to  "  Indian  Queen  Hotel,"  and  for  a  long  time  after 
it  bore  this  name.  In  front  of  it  was  a  huge  swinging  sign  with  a  gaudy 
picture  of  Pocahontas.  The  landlord  was  named  Jesse  Brown,  and  he 
was  known  far  and  near  for  his  ability  as  a  caterer.  His  prices  were 
low, — "  one  dollar  per  day  for  meals  with  liquors,  and  twenty-five  cents 
for  lodgings," — and  his  table  was  always  bountifully  spread.  It  is  stated 
that  "  the  old  bell  that  rang  for  meals  could  be  heard  over  an  extensive 
portion  of  the  city."-  The  hotel  was  a  favorite  with  Congressmen,  and 
many  of  the  prominent  ones  boarded  there  during  the  first  part  of  the 
century. 

Before  the  British  invasion  a  newspaper  was  published  called  the 
National  Intelligencer,  and  it  was  continued  up  to  quite  a  recent  date. 
There  was  some  pleasant  social  life  in  the  little,  struggling  city,  and  a 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


55 


OLD   WAR    DEPARTMENT   BUILDING. 


writer  of  that  period  says,  "the  inhabitants  are  social  and  hospitable, 
and  respectable  strangers,  after  the  slightest  introduction,  are  invited  to 
dinner,  tea,  balls,  and  evening  parties."  The  high  officials  gave  recep- 
tions as  they  do  now,  and  the  leading  families  had  "  grand  balls  in  the 
winter  at  which  every  species  of  luxury  was  exhibited."  When  the 
destruction  of  the  city  was  threatened  by  the  British,  in  the  summer 
of  1814,  there  was  "a  great  running  to  and  fro"  of  its  people.  Some 
fled  at  once  with  their  household  goods  into  Virginia;  others  brought 
forth  ancient  fire-arms  and  joined  the  militia  companies  which  were 
being  hastily  organized  to  meet  the  invaders.  The  government  sus- 
pended its  business,  and  officials  and  clerks  enrolled  themselves  in  the 
ranks  of  the  defenders  of  the  capital. 

In  a  letter  written  by  an  army  officer  in  18 14  is  the  following 
account  of  the  condition  of  affairs  in  Washington  a  few  days  previous  to 
its  occupation  by  the  British.  He  says,  "  I  arrived  in  the  city  on  Sunday, 
the  2 1  St  of  August.  At  that  time  the  officers  of  the  government  and  the 
citizens  were  very  apprehensive  of  an  attack  from  the  British,  who  had 
landed  a  force  on  the  Patuxent.  It  was  stated  they  numbered  from 
4000  to  16,000.  On  Sunday  the  public  officers  were  engaged  in  pack- 
ing and  sending  off  their  books  and  the  citizens  their  furniture,  and  on 
Monday  this  was  continued,  and  many  families  left  the  city.  The  specie 
was  removed  from  all  the  banks  in  the  district.  General  Winder,  who 
was  in  command  of  the  American  force,  was  stationed  southeast  of  the 


56 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


city,  at  a  point  called  Wood's,  with  2000  men,  and  it  was  reported  he 
would  receive  reinforcements  of  10,000  in  a  week.  In  the  expectation 
that  there  was  a  very  considerable  force  collected.  President  Madison, 
accompanied  by  the  Secretaries  of  War  and  Navy,  left  the  city  for  the 
camp.  They  arrived  there  late  that  night,  and  the  next  morning,  finding 
but  3000  men  had  gathered,  they  returned  to  the  city  to  make  further 
arrangements.  All  the  books  and  papers  of  the  government  were  sent 
off,  and  the  citizens  generally  left  the  place." 

The  British  troops,  commanded  by  General  Ross,  marched  across 
Maryland  to  within  five  miles  of  Washington.  Here,  at  the  little  town 
of  Bladensburg,  they  found  their  march  stopped  by  a  force  of  about 
7000  militia  in  command  of  General  Winder.  After  a  very  brief 
engagement  they  dispersed  Winder's  force,  which  fled  pell-mell  in 
every  direction,  and  then  they  gave  battle  to  a  few  hundred  sailors 
with  cannon  who  were  holding  a  hill  on  the  turnpike  to  Washington. 
The  sailors  were  commanded  by  Commodore  Joshua  Barney,  a  priva- 
teersman,  and  they  did  about  all  the  fighting  that  was  done  by  the 
Americans.  They  held  their  ground  for  some  time,  gallantly  contest- 
ing the  advance  of  the  enemy,  but  at  last  were  overpowered  and  forced 
to  flee  toward  the  city,  Barney  was  wounded  and  made  a  prisoner, 
but  General  Ross  so  admired  his  bravery  that  he  treated  him  with 
great  respect. 

After  a  short  rest  the  British  took  up  their  march  for  Washington, 
and  arrived  on  the  eastern  grounds  of  the  Capitol  early  in  the  evening 
of  August  21.  The  soldiers  fired  volleys  into  the  windows  of  the  build- 
ing, and  then  marched  into  the  wing  used  by  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives. General  Ross  escorted  Admiral  Cockburn,  of  the  British  naval 
force,  to  the  Speaker's  chair  amid  laughter  and  cheers  from  the  officers 
and  men.  Cockburn  called  the  assemblage  to  order,  and  shouted,  "  Shall 
this  harbor  of  Yankee  Democracy  be  burned  ?  All  for  it  say  aye  !"  A 
ringing  shout  went  up,  and  the  motion  was  declared  "  unanimously  car- 
ried." Again  and  again  the  soldiers  cried,  "  Fire  the  building !"  "  Fire 
the  building !"  and  after  consultation  with  his  officers  General  Ross  gave 
the  order.  A  search  was  made  for  combustible  material,  and  soon  all  the 
books  and  pictures  in  the  Congressional  Library  were  piled  in  heaps  on 
the  floor  of  the  Hall  of  Representatives,  and  a  lighted  torch  was  applied 
to  them.  Quickly  the  flames  spread  through  the  Capitol,  and  in  half  an 
hour  it  was  in  ruins.  The  soldiers  marched  to  the  President's  House 
and  fired  that,  and  also  the  other  public  buildings.  They  plundered  and 
burned  stores  and  houses,  destroyed  the  workshops  in  the  navy-yard  and 
the  fort  at  Greenleaf's  Point,  and  in  various  ways  did  a  great  deal  of 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


57 


damage  to  the  city.  They  remained  until  the  next  night,  when  taking  an 
alarm  they  hastily  retreated,  "  without  the  beat  of  a  drum  or  the  sound  of 
a  bugle,"  to  Marlboro',  and  in  a  few  days  went  aboard  their  ships,  which 
were  lying  off  Alexandria,  and  sailed  down  the  river.  The  loss  to  the 
government  by  the  invasion  was  over  two  million  dollars,  and  the  loss 
to  the  citizens  of  Washington  was  about  half  a  million.  Nearly  one 
hundred  Americans  were  killed  and  wounded. 


DEFENCES   OF  WASHINGTON    DURING  THE    CIVIL  WAR 


g  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

After  the  invasion  the  "  capital  movers,"  as  those  members  of  Con- 
gress were  called  who  were  ever  seeking  to  have  the  seat  of  government 
transferred  to  some  other  place,  tried  to  prevent  any  appropriation  from 
being  made  to  restore  the  public  buildings.  It  was  said  "  they  were 
secretly  glad  the  British  had  burned  the  buildings,  thus  giving  plausibility 
to  the  arguments  for  rebuilding  elsewhere  without  sacrificing  the  cost  of 
what  had  been  built."  There  were  exciting  debates  in  Congress  in  regard 
to  the  matter,  and  for  a  time  it  seemed  as  if  the  Potomac  would  lose  the 
national  capital;  but  in  February,  1815,  a  bill  was  passed  authorizing  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  borrow  ;$500,000  at  6  per  cent,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  rebuilding  the  public  edifices.  Private  enterprise  under  the  in- 
spiration of  this  decision  was  awakened,  and  during  the  next  ten  years 
Washington  began  to  be  a  good  deal  more  than  "a  city  of  streets  without 
houses." 

General  Lafayette  was  welcomed  to  the  city  on  Tuesday,  October  12, 
1824.  Upon  his  arrival  a  salute  was  fired,  and  he  was  escorted  to  a 
barouche,  which  was  decorated  with  the  French  colors  and  drawn  by  four 
gray  horses  led  by  grooms  in  white  livery.  A  procession  composed  of 
military  companies  and  civic  societies,  and  which  was  two  miles  in  length, 
marched  over  the  city  with  the  honored  guest,  and  throngs  of  people 
lined  the  way.  Arches  with  banners,  mottoes,  and  floral  designs  were 
placed  here  and  there  over  the  streets,  and  on  the  largest  arch  was  a  huge 
live  eagle,  which  is  said  to  have  bent  its  head  and  flapped  its  wings  when 
Lafayette  passed  beneath.  At  a  certain  point  the  hero  was  met  by  a 
chariot  containing  twenty-five  handsome  maidens  dressed  in  white  muslin 
and  blue  scarfs,  and  with  wreaths  of  red  flowers  on  their  heads,  intended 
to  represent  the  twenty-four  States  and  the  District  of  Columbia.  The 
little  maid  who  represented  the  district  spoke  a  few  words  of  welcome, 
and  then  there  were  addresses  by  the  mayor  and  other  persons,  to  all  of 
which  Lafayette  responded  in  a  pleasant  manner.  After  the  municipal 
reception  he  visited  the  Capitol,  where  he  was  welcomed  as  the  "  nation's 
guest"  by  Henry  Clay,  then  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives ; 
and  also  visited  the  White  House,  where  President  Monroe  greeted  him 
affectionately.  During  his  stay  of  two  weeks  he  was  lavishly  entertained 
by  prominent  families  of  Washington  and  Georgetown. 

Many  of  the  descriptions  of  Washington  written  at  this  period  are 
amusing.  One  writer  says,  "  Conceive,  then,  a  daddy-long-legs  whose 
body  is  scarcely  visible,  while  his  legs  shoot  out  in  all  directions  and  are 
everywhere  seen,  and  you  will  have  a  conception  of  this  metropolis.  It 
is  no  more  like  New  York  or  Philadelphia  than  '  Hyperion  to  a  Satyr.' 
The  streets  are  filled  with  mud  in  winter  and  with  dust  in  summer ;  and 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


59 


instead  of  splendid  edifices  you  can  see  nothing  but  corn-fields,  arid 
plains,  dry  canals,  and  dirty  marshes,  where  frogs  croak  in  most  sonorous 
strain.  The  citizens  build  houses  where  there  are  no  streets,  and  the 
corporation  makes  streets  where  there  are  no  houses." 

Another  writer  draws  this  picture  of  society:  "The  first  thing  that 
strikes  a  stranger  is  the  affectation  of  style  and  fashion  which  seems  to 
pervade  almost  every  rank  and  class.  The  President  opens  his  drawing- 
room  every  fort- 
night for  reception 
of  such  as  may 
please  to  visit  him  ; 
and  his  cabinet  sec- 
retaries give  dinners 
and  evening  parties 
during  the  session 
of  Congress.  The 
subordinate  officers 
of  the  government, 
clerks,  etc.,  also  fol- 
low the  example, 
and  although  their 
salaries  are  small 
and      their     means 


OLD    FORTIFICATIONS   AS   THEY   APPEAR   TO-DAY. 


6o  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

limited,  they  fancy  it  would  be  unpardonable  not  to  ape  those  above 
them  and  be  what  is  called  fashionable,  and  thus  they  plunge  into  the 
vortex  of  ruin.  They  give  evening  parties,  pay  morning  visits  with 
cards  in  their  own  carriages,  or  any  they  can  procure,  give  routs,  go  to 
assemblies,  and,  in  short,  exhibit  every  folly  their  superiors  think  proper 
to  practice  because  it  is  said  to  be  Jiaut  ton,  and  they  cannot  think  of 
being  unfashionable,  whatever  may  be  the  result." 

Every  one  who  lived  in  what  was  called  the  *'  court  end"  of  the  city 
kept  a  carriage  of  some  kind,  and  it  was  said  "  many  persons  would  even 
ride  to  church  when  the  distance  was  not  more  than  a  hundred  paces." 
Members  of  Congress  were  in  great  request  for  all  the  parties,  and  the 
prominent  ones  could  not  accept  half  the  invitations  they  received.  Out- 
side of  its  fashionable  life,  however,  the  city  was  apparently  in  "  a  long, 
dead  calm  of  fixed  repose,"  and  its  development  year  by  year  was  very 
slow.  It  was  not  until  1830  that  Pennsylvania  avenue,  the  central 
thoroughfare,  was  paved,  and  then  it  was  done  cheaply  and  badly. 
There  were  only  two  small  public  schools.  On  August  25,  1835,  the 
Washington  branch  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  was  opened,  but 
it  was  as  late  as  1851  that  stages  to  the  West  ceased  to  run.  In  1836 
the  Long  Bridge  across  the  Potomac  to  Virginia  was  opened,  and  has 
continued  in  use  to  the  present  day.  It  was  constructed  at  a  cost  of 
^100,000,  and  is  a  mile  in  length. 

In  1840  the  city  had  23,364  people.  On  the  ist  of  March,  1844,  a 
terrible  catastrophe  occurred.  A  large  party  of  officials  and  prominent 
residents  visited  the  war-ship  "  Princeton,"  lying  off  Alexandria,  and 
sailed  in  her  a  short  distance  down  the  river.  On  the  return  trip  a  cannon 
burst  while  being  fired,  killing  Secretary  of  State  Upshur,  Secretary  of 
the  Navy  Gilmer,  and  three  other  persons,  and  seriously  injuring  eighteen 
others.  From  1840  to  1850  the  gain  in  population  was  nearly  17,000; 
from  1850  to  i860,  over  2I,000.  The  census  of  the  latter  year  shows  a 
city  population  of  61,122,  and  in  the  entire  District  of  Columbia,  75,080. 
W^ashington  entered  upon  the  trying  years  of  the  Civil  War  a  very  unat- 
tractive place.  Those  who  had  business  with  the  government  came  to 
the  city,  looked  with  surprise  and  contempt  at  its  muddy,  unpaved  streets 
and  rude,  insignificant  private  buildings,  and  went  away  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. It  was  a  capital  sprawling  over  a  great  territory,  but  remarkable 
only  for  its  distances  and  discomforts  and  its  listless  daily  life. 

When  the  war  began  the  city  was  without  defences,  and  a  plan  was 
at  once  adopted  for  protection  against  distant  artillery  fire.  On  the  night 
of  May  23,  1 861,  three  columns  crossed  the  Potomac  into  Virginia,  one  at 
the  Georgetown  aqueduct  bridge,  one  at  Long  Bridge,  and  one  at  Alex- 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


6l 


ford's   theatre,  where   LINCOLN  WAS   SHOT. 

andria,  and  the  next  morning  work  was  begun  on  several  fortifications. 
In  seven  weeks  the  line  of  defences  consisted  of  Forts  Corcoran,  Bennett, 
and  Haggerty  for  the  protection  of  Georgetown;  Forts  Runyon  and 
Albany  covering  Long  Bridge,  and  Fort  Ellsworth  on  Shuter's  hill,  near 
Alexandria.  Immediately  after  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  a  second  line  was 
constructed  to  fortify  Arlington  heights,  which  included  Forts  Craig, 
Tillinghast,  Cass,  Woodbury,  Richardson,  and  Strong;  and  Forts  Worth, 
Ward,  and  Lyon  were  added  to  the  defences  of  Alexandria.  About  this 
time  a  line  of  forts  was  constructed  along  the  northwestern  and  eastern 
parts  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  consisting  of  Fort  Reno  on  the  heights 
of  Tennallytown,  Fort  Stevens  on  the  Seventh-street  road,  and  Forts 
Gaines,  De  Russey,  Slocum,  Totten,  Bunker  Hill,  Saratoga,  Slemmer, 
Thayer,  and  Lincoln,  the  latter  overlooking  the  Anacostia.  Three  small 
forts,  Kirby,  Cross,  and  Davis,  afterwards  united  under  the  name  of  Fort 
Sumner,  were  constructed  on  the  heights  near  the  receiving  reservoir  of 
the  Washington  aqueduct.  Beyond  the  Anacostia,  the  defences  were 
Forts  Stanton,  Greble,  Carroll,  and  Mahan,  to  which  Forts  Meigs,  Dupont, 


62 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


Baker,  Wagner,  Ricketts,  and   Snyder  were  added  in  the  latter  part  of 
1862.     At  Chain  bridge  there  were  Forts  Ethan  Allen  and  Marcy, 

Additions  were  made  to  the  lines  of  defences  from  time  to  time,  until, 
in  the  spring  of  1863,  there  were  south  of  the  Potomac  thirty-four  forts 
and  armed  batteries  with  426  guns  and  60  mortars,  and  thirty-eight  un- 
armed batteries  for  205  guns.  North  of  the  Potomac  there  were  forty- 
•three  forts  and  armed  batteries  with  384  guns  and  38  mortars,  and  thirty- 
six  unarmed  batteries  for  175  guns.  The  forts  were  all  built  of  earth, 
rammed  to  the  utmost  degree  of  solidity  attainable,  the  walls  being  from 
twenty  to  twenty-five  feet  thick  at  the  base,  and  from  twelve  to  eighteen 
feet  thick  on  the  parapets.  The  outside  ditch  was  generally  about  six 
feet  deep,  and  a  few  feet  in  front  of  the  counterscarp,  or  outside  of  the 
ditch,  a  glacis  was  thrown  up  so  as  to  bring  the  ground  in  front  within 
the  plane  of  musketry  fire  from  the  parapets,  and  on  this  glacis  a  strong 
abattis  of  pointed  brush  and  timber  was  laid  and  secured,  extending 
entirely  around  each  fort.  Inside  magazines  were  dug,  and  bomb-proofs 
constructed  of  hewed  logs,  each  being  covered  on  the  exposed  side  with 
from  twelve  to  fifteen  feet  of  rammed  earth. 

These  fortifications  and  batteries,  with  their  green  sod  walls  and 
yawning  embrasures,  from  which  the  black  muzzles  of  huge  guns  peered 
out  menacingly  upon  every  exposed  height,  were  the  most  prominent  and 
suggestive  features  of  the  landscape  as  one  approached  Washington  from 
any  direction  during  the  latter  years  of  the  war.  To-day,  of  all  these 
defences,  only  a  few  mounds  of  earth  remain. 

Throughout  the  war  there  was  a  constant  fear  that  Washington  might 
be  invaded  by  the  Confederates,  but  no  really  serious  attempt  was  ever 
made.  General  Early  made  a  dash  at  the  city  in  1864,  but  it  has  always 
been  believed  that  the  real  object  of  it  was  to  draw  troops  from  the  lines 
in  front  of  Richmond.  He  crossed  the  upper  Potomac  into  Maryland 
with  12,000  men,  and  on  the  9th  of  July  engaged  a  small  force  under 
General  Wallace  at  Frederick  City.  After  defeating  Wallace  he  marched 
to  Rockville,  sixteen  miles  from  Washington,  and  camped  there  on  the 
night  of  the  loth.  General  Grant  sent  two  divisions  of  the  Sixth  Corps 
under  General  Wright,  from  Petersburg,  to  aid  in  the  protection  of  Wash- 
ington, and  they  arrived  on  the  nth.  Early's  skirmish  line  advanced 
toward  the  city  as  far  as  Fort  Stevens,  on  the  Seventh-street  road,  on  the 
morning  of  the  nth,  but  the  guns  of  the  fort  and  of  Forts  Slocum  and 
De  Russey  opened  rapid  fire,  and  the  advance  was  checked  for  a  time. 
Late  in  the  afternoon  the  Sixth  Corps  arrived.  Early's  pickets  had  been 
firing  all  day  and  shouting  to  the  men  in  the  forts,  "  Come  out  here,  you 
quill-drivers  and  bummers,  and  take  your  dose  like  men !"     But  when 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


63 


they  saw  the  well-known  and  greatly  respected  Greek  cross,  they  ceased 
their  taunts  and  yelled,  "  Hello,  old  Sixth  Corps !  where  in  thunder  did 
you  come  from  ?"  "  Come  from  Richmond !  What  are  you  Johnnies 
doing  here  ?"  was  the  reply.  "  Oh,  Early's  brought  a  lot  of  wooden  fur- 
loughs for  your  bummers,  but  they  won't  come  out  and  take  'em." 

On  the  1 2th,  after  a  good  deal  of  picket-firing  and  manoeuvring, 
General  Wheaton's  brigade  of  the  Sixth  Corps  engaged  the  Confederate 
skirmish  line  and  drove  it  back,  after  what  has  been  called  "  a  pretty  little 
fight,"  which  was  witnessed  by  President  Lincoln  from  Fort  Stevens. 
The  next  morning  the  Confederates  had  disappeared,  and  it  was  ascer- 
tained that  Early  had  crossed  the  river  into  Virginia. 

The  close  of  the  war  was  celebrated  on  the  night  of  April  13,  1865, 
by  a  grand  illumination  of  Washington,  which  exceeded  any  previous 
demonstration  ever  witnessed  in  the  city.  The  Capitol,  White  House, 
Treasury,  and  all  the  other  pub- 
lic buildings  were  covered  with 
decorations  and  illuminated  by 
thousands  of  lights,  and  the 
greater  number  of  the  private 
buildings  were  also  decorated 
and  illuminated.  President  Lin- 
coln made  a  speech  to  a  great 
assemblage  in  front  of  the  White 
House,  in  which  he  congratu- 
lated the  country  on  the  return  of 
peace.  Bands  of  music  paraded 
the  streets,  and  the  jubilation 
was  continued  nearly  all  night. 

The  next  night,  Friday,  April 
'  14,  President  Lincoln  was  assas- 
sinated   at    Ford's    Theatre    on 
Tenth  street, 
by  John  Wilkes 
Booth.     The 
theatre   was     " 
crowded,   and 
all  present  were 
enjoying     the 
performance  of 
the  comedy, 
"OurAmerican 


HOUSE  WHERE   LINCOLN 
DIED. 


64 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


Cousin."  During  the  third  act,  while  there  was  a  temporary  pause  for 
one  of  the  actors  to  enter,  a  sharp  report  of  a  pistol  was  heard,  but 
it  attracted  no  special  attention  and  suggested  nothing  serious  until  a 
man  rushed  to  the  front  of  the  box  in  which  the  President  was  seated 
with  Mrs.  Lincoln  and  two  other  persons,  leaped  to  the  stage  with  a 
long  bowie-knife  in  his  hand,  and  shouted,  "  Sic  semper  tyrannis !  The 
South  is  avenged !"  The  audience  sat  spell-bound  for  a  moment,  while 
the  assassin  disappeared  behind  the  scenes.  The  piercing  screams  of 
Mrs.  Lincoln  first  disclosed  that  the  President  had  been  shot,  and  the 
audience  rose  to  their  feet  in  wild  alarm,  many  persons  rushing  toward 
the  stage  exclaiming,  "  Hang  the  assassin  !"  "  Hang  him !"  while  others 
stood  around  the  President's  box  petrified  with  horror.  Booth  had 
entered  the  box  a  few  minutes  before  ten  o'clock,  and  approaching  the 
President  from  behind,  had  placed  a  pistol  at  the  back  of  his  head  and 
fired.  The  President's  head  fell  forward,  his  eyes  closed,  and  he  became 
unconscious.  He  was  removed  to  a  house  nearly  opposite  the  theatre, 
but  never  regained  consciousness,  dying  the  following  morning  at  a  few 
minutes  past  seven  o'clock,  surrounded  by  his  wife  and  family  and  promi- 
nent officials. 

At  nearly  the  same  time  that  the  President  was  shot  an  attempt  was 
made  on  the  life  of  Secretary  of  State  Seward  at  his  residence,  and  he 
was  seriously  injured  by  a  knife  in  the  hands  of  an  assassin,  but  subse- 
quently recovered.  Afterwards  it  appeared  that  a  plot  had  been  formed 
to  murder  all  the  principal  officials  of  the  government. 

The  news  of  the  shooting  of  President  Lincoln  created  the  most  intense 
excitement  in  the  city,  and  on  all  sides  were  heard  the  strongest  expres- 
sions of  sorrow  and  indignation.  Many  wept  bitterly,  and  the  colored 
people  were  frantic  with  grief  and  dismay.  All  the  public  buildings  were 
closed  and  covered  with  emblems  of  mourning,  and  hundreds  of  residences 
and  places  of  business  were  profusely  draped.  The  body  of  the  President 
lay  in  state  in  the  rotunda  of  the  Capitol  on  April  20,  and  was  viewed  by 
thousands.  The  following  day  the  funeral  train  left  the  city,  bearing  the 
body  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  it  was  interred. 

Booth  mounted  a  fleet  horse  and  made  his  way  across  the  Anacostia 
to  eastern  Maryland,  and  thence  over  the  Potomac.  He  was  discovered 
about  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  April  26  in  a  barn  near  Port  Royal, 
Virginia,  by  a  detachment  of  the  Sixteenth  New  York  Cavalry.  He 
refused  to  surrender  and  was  shot  by  Sergeant  Boston  Corbett,  and  died 
about  three  hours  afterwards.  His  associates  in  the  conspiracy  were 
tried  by  a  military  commission,  and  four  of  them  were  executed.  The 
remaining   four   were   sentenced   to   hard   labor    at   the    Dry  Tortugas, 


55  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

where  one  died,  and  the  others  were  subsequently  pardoned  by  President 
Johnson. 

The  grand  review  of  the  Union  Army  on  the  23d  and  24th  of  May, 
1865,  completed  the  events  of  interest  in  Washington  during  the  war 
period.  On  the  first  day  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  passed  in  review,  and 
on  the  second  day  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  and  the  Army  of  Georgia. 
It  was  estimated  that  more  than  fifty  thousand  people  from  all  the  North- 
ern States  witnessed  the  review.  The  city  was  profusely  decorated,  and 
at  all  the  prominent  points  there  were  arches,  banners,  and  floral  embel- 
lishments. In  front  of  the  White  House  were  four  stands  decorated  with 
battle-flags  and  flowers.  The  principal  stand  contained  President  Johnson 
and  the  cabinet  ministers,  General  Grant,  General  Sherman,  and  promi- 
nent military  and  civil  ofiicers.  In  another  stand  were  governors  of  the 
States  and  distinguished  personages. 

The  troops  marched  from  Virginia  across  the  Potomac  to  Capitol  Hill 
the  night  before,  and  early  on  the  morning  of  the  review.  Promptly  at 
9  o'clock  on  the  23d  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  the  command  of 
Major-General  Meade,  began  the  march.  All  the  school-children  of  the 
city  with  their  teachers  were  assembled  on  the  eastern  portico  and  grounds 
of  the  Capitol,  the  girls  dressed  in  white  muslin,  and  the  boys  in  black 
jackets  and  white  pants,  and  as  the  soldiers  passed  greeted  them  with 
songs  and  cheers  and  garlands.  Down  the  hill  came  the  war  veterans 
on  to  the  broad  Pennsylvania  avenue,  filled  for  a  mile  away  with  cheering 
throngs.  P'irst  in  line  was  General  Meade,  riding  a  few  paces  ahead  of 
his  escort,  and  the  headquarters  division.  Then  came  the  Cavalry  Corps, 
commanded  by  Major-General  Merritt;  the  Provost-Marshal-General's 
Brigade,  commanded  by  Brigadier-General  Macy;  and  the  Engineer  Bri- 
gade, commanded  by  Brigadier-General  Benham.  Following  these  were 
the  Ninth  Corps,  in  command  of  Major-General  Parke  ;  a  division  of  the 
Nineteenth  Corps,  in  command  of  Brigadier-General  Dwight ;  the  Fifth 
Corps,  in  command  of  Major-General  Griffin;  and  the  Second  Corps,  in 
command  of  Major-General  Humphreys.  The  artillery  followed  each 
corps,  and  the  column  moved  by  companies  closed  in  mass,  with  shortened 
intervals  between  regiments,  brigades,  and  divisions.  For  the  sake  of 
uniformity  the  company  front  of  the  whole  army  was  limited  to  twenty 
files,  the  soldiers  taking  the  cadence  step  up  the  avenue. 

It  would  be  well  nigh  impossible  to  describe  the  enthusiasm  that  pre- 
vailed during  the  march.  All  through  the  day  the  troops  passed  by  with 
their  tattered  flags,  their  odd-looking  camp  utensils,  their  pet  animals  and 
negro  followers.  The  "  boys"  were  clad  in  faded  and  soiled  uniforms,  for 
there  had  been  no  "  brushing  up"  for  the  review,  as  it  was  intended  to 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


67 


ALEXANDER    R.   SHEPHERD. 

allow  the  world  to  see  the  army  j   st  as  it  appeared  in  actual  service.     As 
they  passed  cheer  after  cheer  rolled  along  the  avenue.     Each  commanding 
officer  received  a  perfect  ovation;  each  soldier,  almost,  was  greeted  with 
joyful  shouts      Flowers  in  all  forms  were  rained  on  the  defenders  of  the 
Union   and  officers  and  men  in  many  cases  were  burdened  with  them. 
General  Custer's  division  of  the  Cavalry  Corps  all  wore  the  celebrated 
"  Custer  tie,"— a  red  scarf  about  the  neck,  with  the  ends  hanging  down 
the  breast  nearly  to  the  belt.     When  the  division  was  passing  the  Presi- 
dent's stand,  a  thrill  ran  through  the  vast  crowd  as  General  Custer  was 
seen  with  a  large  wreath  hanging  upon  his  arm,  his  scabbard  empty,  and 
his  long  yellow  hair  waving  in  the  wind,  vainly  striving  to  check  a  mag- 
nificent stallion,  which  was  madly  sweeping  up  the  avenue.     On  came  the 
horse  with  furious  speed,  thousands  of  people  watching  him  with  breath- 
less suspense,  which  was  soon  followed  by  storms  of  applause  at  the 
horsemanship  of  the  General  as  he  mastered  the  frightened  animal  and 
gracefully  rode  back  along  the  line. 

On  the  second  day  there  was  a  repetition  of  the  grand  scenes  as 
Sherman's  army  marched  in  review.  When  General  Sherman  appeared 
at  the  head  of  the  column  tumultuous  cheers  went  up.  Leading  the 
march  was  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  in  command  of  Major-General 
Logan  It  included  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  under  Major-General  Hazen. 
and  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  under  Major-General  Blair.  Afterwards  came 
the  Army  of  Georgia,  in  command  of  Major-General  Slocum.     This  in- 


5g  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

eluded  the  Twentieth  Corps,  under  Major-General  Mower,  and  the  Four- 
teenth Corps,  under  Major-General  Davis.  After  the  review  the  soldiers 
marched  to  their  camps  over  the  Potomac,  and  in  a  few  weeks  the  vast 
army  was  disbanded. 

It  was  not  until  187 1  that  Washington  began  to  be  a  beautiful  city. 
The  movement  for  improving  it  was  started  by  Alexander  R.  Shepherd, 
who  afterwards  became  governor  of  the  district  under  the  territorial  form 
of  government  established  by  Congress.  The  common  saying  is  that 
"  Shepherd  lifted  Washington  out  of  the  mud,"  and  it  is  undoubtedly  true 
that  to  him  the  credit  is  due  for  the  beginning  and  successful  continuing 
of  the  vast  improvements  made  in  all  parts  of  the  city  within  a  few 
years  after  1871.  Shepherd  was  a  man  of  indomitable  will,  and  he  had 
determined  that  the  National  Capital  should  no  longer  be  a  comfortless, 
repulsive  place,  but  that  it  should  become  a  metropolis  in  fact  as  well 
as  in  name,  and  an  object  of  pride  and  admiration  to  the  people  of  the 
country.  He  secured  the  friendship  of  President  Grant,  and  awakened 
Congress  to  an  interest  in  the  affairs  of  Washington.  He  gained  support 
in  his  plans  from  some  of  the  prominent  citizens,  and  he  induced  capital- 
ists in  the  Northern  cities  to  invest  in  the  district  bonds.  Congress  passed 
a  bill  to  abolish  the  old  municipal  government,  putting  in  place  of  it  a 
territorial  government,  with  a  governor  ^and  legislature.  The  Board  of 
Public  Works  was  organized,  with  Shepherd  at  its  head,  and  the  work 
of  improvement  was  begun.  An  army  of  laborers  was  set  to  work  to 
grade  and  pave  the  streets  and  avenues,  to  cut  down  and  remove  banks 
and  obstructions,  to  reconstruct  the  sidewalks,  to  cover  over  the  old 
canal,  which  had  long  been  a  nuisance,  to  set  out  thousands  of  trees,  to 
develop  the  parks,  squares,  and  circles,  to  build  sewers  and  lay  water- 
pipes,  and  to  do  many  other  things  which  would  improve  and  beautify 
the  city. 

In  a  few  years  an  almost  incredible  amount  of  work  had  been  done. 
The  old  slovenly  city  had  nearly  disappeared.  Fine  business  buildings 
and  residences,  churches  and  school-houses,  new  markets,  new  hotels, 
were  erected.  Shepherd's  will  was  law,  and  his  fierce  energy  pervaded 
everything.  At  least  twenty-five  millions  were  expended  in  the  improve- 
ments, and  the  result  was  that  Washington,  after  three-quarters  of  a 
century,  became  what  had  been  predicted  of  it  when  it  was  founded, — 
a  magnificent  capital. 


CHAPTER    V. 

PRESENT  APPEARANCE  OF  WASHINGTON— HOW  L'ENFANT'S  PLAN  WAS  DEVELOPED— 
THE  FOUR  QUARTERS  OF  THE  CITY— THE  STREETS  AND  AVENUES-MEMORIAL 
STATUARY  IN  THE  PARKS,  SQUARES,  AND  CIRCLES— CHURCHES  AND  SCHOOLS— 
THE  MARKET  SYSTEM-FACTS  RELATING  TO  THE  POPULATION,  BUSINESS,  AND 
GOVERNMENT. 

HE  District  of  Columbia  covers  an  area  of  sixty-four  square 
miles,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north,  east,  and  south  by  the 
State  of  Maryland,  and  on  the  west  by  the  Potomac  river. 
The  city  of  Washington  is  located  on' the  river  front  of  the 
district,  and  extends  over  a  broad,  irregular  valley  up  to  the  edges  of  a 
range  of  thickly-wooded  hills.  From  northwest  to  southeast  it  is  about 
five  miles  in  extent,  and  from  east  to  southwest  about  three  miles.  The 
actual  territory  embraced  within  the  city  boundary  is  a  trifle  less  than 
ten  square  miles.  The  southwestern  section  borders  on  the  Potomac, 
which  at  this  point  is  1 16^  miles  above  its  mouth  at  Chesapeake  bay, 
and  184^/2  miles  from  the  Atlantic  ocean,  and  the  eastern  section  bor- 
ders on  the  Anacostia  or  Eastern  Branch  of  the  Potomac.  Few  cities 
of  the  United  States  are  so  beautifully  situated,  and  few  have  so  many 
charming  scenes.  The  national  capital  has  become  very  attractive,  and 
its  residents  have  a  just  pride  in  its  beauty  and  remarkable  development. 
Washington  grows  at  a  very  rapid  rate.  By  the  census  of  1880  the 
population  was  given  at  147,307,  and  with  the  addition  of  Georgetown, 
now  West  Washington,  159,885.  At  the  present  time  the  population  is 
estimated  at  210,000,  and  in  the  Congressional  season  at  10,000  more. 
The  city  is  laid  out  in  such  a  manner  that  it  has  space  for  half  a  million 
people  without  crowding,  and  it  is  the  belief  that  it  will  have  this  num- 
ber within  twenty  years.  The  social  attractions  of  the  city  are  so  great 
that  people  of  wealth,  culture,  and  refinement  go  to  it  in  great  numbers 
from  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  many  of  them  are  induced  by  the  genial 
climate  and  pleasant  conditions  of  living  to  become  permanent  residents. 
L'Enfant's  magnificent  plan  has  been  properly  developed,  and  in  conse- 
quence Washington  to-day  is  one  of  the  grandest  cities  in  the  world  in 
70 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


71 


PKNWbYLVANIA  AVENUE  AT  ELEVENTH  STREET. 


its  arrangement  of  streets  and  avenues,  squares,  parks,  and  public  reser- 
vations. All  the  thoroughfares  are  very  broad,  clean,  and  delightfully- 
shaded  in  summer  by  a  large  variety  of  fine  trees,  and  the  majority  of  the 
streets  and  avenues  are  paved  with  concrete  or  asphalt.  In  its  architec- 
tural appearance  the  city  is  fast  assuming  a  unique  and  distinctive  charac- 
ter. Its  private  buildings  are  notable  for  elegance  and  diversity  of  design, 
and  many  of  its  mansions  are  models  of  beauty.  It  is  a  city  of  brick  and 
marble  and  stone,  artistically  employed,  and  it  has  little  of  the  architec- 
tural monotony  of  most  large  cities. 

Within  the  city  limits  there  are  61  ii  acres,  and  more  than  one-half 
of  this  amount,  or  3095  acres,  is  devoted  to  public  uses.  There  are  408 
acres  of  government  reservations,  107  streets,  with  an  aggregate  length 
of  279  miles,  and  21  avenues  named  after  various  States.  ^  The  streets 
extend  from  north  to  south  and  from  east  to  west,  and  the  avenues  cross 
them  diagonally.  The  Capitol  marks  the  centre  of  the  city,  and  all  the 
streets  are  laid  out  at  right  angles  from  it. 

There  are  four  distinct  quarters  of  the  city.  The  northwest  quarter  is 
the  most  popular  and  has  the  largest  number  of  people.  It  comprises 
the  business  centre,  and  has  the  majority  of  the  finest  streets.  It  contains 
the  White  House,  the  Treasury,  the  department  buildings,  the  theatres, 
leading  hotels  and  mercantile  establishments,  and  the  greater  number  of 


«2  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

the  churches,  schools,  and  institutions.  In  that  portion  of  it  known  as 
the  "  West  End"  are  the  artistic  and  costly  mansions  for  which  the  city 
is  famous.  The  southwest  quarter  comprises  the  harbor  region,  and  con- 
tains brick,  stone,  and  lumber  yards  and  manufacturing  concerns,  and 
also  many  streets  of  stores  and  residences.  The  northeast  quarter  has  the 
smallest  population  and  is  the  least  developed.  The  southeast  quarter 
covers  Capitol  Hill,  and  it  is  fast  becoming  a  populous  section.  It  was 
here  that  the  founders  of  Washington  believed  the  majority  of  the  resi- 
dences would  be  located,  but  the  tide  of  population  flowed  toward  the 
northwest  quarter,  and  for  many  years  Capitol  Hill  was  mostly  vacant 
land.  Now,  however,  it  has  a  considerable  population  and  numerous  fine 
residences. 

Throughout  the  city  the  streets  and  avenues  are  from  130  to  160  feet 
in  width  and  have  very  broad  sidewalks.  In  front  of  most  the  houses 
is  a  grass  plat  or  garden,  and  beyond  this  is  the  sidewalk.  There  are 
eighty  thousand  shade-trees  on  the  streets  and  avenues,  planted  within 
ten  years,  and  as  soon  as  a  street  is  properly  graded  trees  about  thirty 
feet  apart  are  set  out.  In  a  few  years  the  boughs  of  the  trees  on  many 
of  the  streets  will  almost  touch,  and  Washington  in  the  vernal  season 
will  be  a  perfect  forest  of  shade-trees.  Most  of  the  trees  now  give  a  good 
deal  of  shade  and  a  measureless  amount  of  beauty.  Carolina  poplars, 
maples,  elms,  and  twenty  other  varieties  are  planted,  and  all  the  trees 
receive  great  attention  from  the  park  commission. 

Pennsylvania  avenue  is  the  great  central  thoroughfare.  Its  entire 
length  is  four  and  one-half  miles,  but  the  Treasury  breaks  its  continuity 
at  one  point  and  the  Capitol  at  another.  From  the  Treasury,  at  Fifteenth 
street,  it  stretches  in  majesty  to  the  Capitol,  a  distance  of  nearly  a  mile 
and  a  half.  Over  this  course  its  entire  roadway  is  160  feet  in  width. 
It  is  paved  throughout  with  concrete,  and  is  considered  the  finest  avenue 
in  the  world.  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut  avenues,  which  traverse 
the  fashionable  West  End,  are  broad,  long,  and  beautiful,  and  most  of 
the  other  avenues  are  remarkable  for  their  length  and  beauty.  With 
Pennsylvania  avenue  the  prominent  business  localities  are  Seventh,  Ninth, 
and  F  streets. 

Extending  from  the  Botanical  Garden,  at  the  foot  of  Capitol  Hill, 
to  Fifteenth  street  is  a  broad  park,  or  series  of  parks,  known  as  the 
Mall.  On  it  are  located  the  buildings  of  the  Fish  Commission,  National 
Museum,  Smithsonian  Institution,  and  Department  of  Agriculture.  The 
improvement  of  the  Potomac  flats,  now  in  progress,  will  add  about  looo 
acres  to  the  Mall  and  extend  it  to  the  river  in  completed  form.  There 
will  then  be  in  the  centre  of  the  city  a  continuous  park  with  shaded 


9 


I|W:p 

(ikii 


11 


im  I 


K    I 


tn 

^      lil'll 

o 


c 
w 
z 

w 

JO 

> 

n 

o 

H 


en 

n 

s  HI!"''' 

»     liUllll' 
lO 


m 


\m 


> 


•h' 


!l« 


y.  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

roadways  for  nearly  two  miles,  and  which  will  have  an  extensive  river 
frontage. 

On  Pennsylvania  avenue,  opposite  the  White  House,  Lafayette  Park 
is  situated.  It  is  a  government  reservation  of  about  seven  acres,  with 
many  ancient  trees,  beautiful  lawns,  and  flower-beds.  Each  spring  a  large 
number  of  flowering  plants  are  set  out  here,  and  many  rare  varieties  of 
foreign  growth  are  included.  In  this  park  stands  an  equestrian  statue 
of  General  Andrew  Jackson,  by  Clark  Mills.  It  was  cast  from  brass  can- 
non and  mortars  captured  during  Jackson's  campaigns,  and  cost  nearly 
$50,000.  Around  its  white  marble  pedestal  are  mounted  field-pieces  of 
antique  fashion  and  piles  of  cannon-balls.  The  statue  was  unveiled 
January  8,  1853,  Hon.  Stephen  A.  Douglas  delivering  the  oration. 

Franklin  Park,  which  comprises  four  acres,  is  located  between  Thir- 
teenth and  Fourteenth  streets  west  and  I  and  K  streets  north.  It  is  a 
very  pretty  small  park,  and  has  a  large  fountain  in  its  centre. 

Lincoln  Park  is  laid  out  in  the  square  at  the  intersection  of  East 
Capitol  street  with  several  avenues,  and  is  a  mile  east  of  the  Capitol.  It 
is  six  and  one-quarter  acres  in  extent.  Here  is  the  famous  bronze  group 
designated  as  "  Emancipation,"  which  was  designed  by  Thomas  Ball,  and 
cast  in  Munich  in  1875.  It  stands  on  a  granite  pedestal,  upon  which  are 
two  bronze  tablets,  the  one  on  the  front  being  inscribed  "  Freedom's 
Memorial.  In  grateful  memory  of  Abraham  Lincoln  this  monument 
was  erected  by  the  Western  Sanitary  Commission  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  with 
funds  contributed  solely  by  emancipated  citizens  of  the  United  States 
declared  free  by  his  proclamation,  January  i,  a.d.  1863.  The  first  con- 
tribution of  five  dollars  was  made  by  Charlotte  Scott,  a  freed  woman  of 
Virginia,  being  her  first  earnings  in  freedom,  and  consecrated  by  her 
suggestion  and  request  on  the  day  she  heard  of  President  Lincoln's  death 
to  build  a  monument  to  his  memory." 

On  the  other  tablet  is  this  extract  from  the  Emancipation  Procla- 
mation: "And  upon  this  act,  sincerely  believed  to  be  an  act  of  justice 
warranted  by  the  Constitution  upon  military  necessity,  I  invoke  the  con- 
siderate judgment  of  mankind  and  the  gracious  favor  of  Almighty  God." 

The  memorial  represents  Abraham  Lincoln  standing  at  a  monolith,  on 
which  is  a  medallion  of  Washington  with  shields  and  stars.  In  his  right 
hand  he  holds  the  proclamation  of  emancipation,  and  his  left  is  extended 
over  a  negro  whose  manacles  are  broken.  The  group  is  twelve  feet  high 
and  the  pedestal  ten  feet.  The  bronze  work  cost  $17,000.  The  ceremony 
of  dedication  took  place  on  April  14,  1 876,  in  the  presence  of  a  vast 
assemblage.     Hon.  Frederick  Douglass  was  the  orator. 

The  squares  and  circles  are  attractive  features  of  Washington.     Scolt 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


75 


Square,  at  the  intersection  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  avenues, 
Sixteenth  and  N  streets,  contains  an  equestrian  statue  of  General  Winfield 
Scott,  which  was  erected  in  1874.  It  was  modelled  by  H.  K.  Brown,  and 
cast  in  Philadelphia  from  cannon  captured  in  Mexico.  Its  total  height  is 
fifteen  feet,  and  its  cost  was  ^20,000.  The  pedestal  is  of  granite  from 
Cape  Ann  quarries,  and  is  composed  of  five  huge  blocks,  said  to  be  the 
largest  ever  quarried  in  the  United  States.  The  cost  of  the  pedestal  was 
about  ;$25,ooo.  General  Scott  is  represented  in  the  uniform  of  his  rank 
as  Lieutenant-General  of  the  army  of  the  United  States. 

Farragut  Square,  on  Connecticut  avenue,  has  a  small  park,  in  the 
centre  of  which  is  a  bronze  figure  of  Admiral  David  G.  Farragut,  mod- 
elled by  Vinnie  Ream  Hoxie.  It  is  ten  feet  in  height,  and  stands  on  a 
granite  pedestal  twenty  feet  in  height.  It  was  cast  in  1880,  and  unveiled 
April  25,  1 88 1,  on  which  occasion  the  orators  were  Hon.  Horace  May- 
nard,  of  Tennessee,  and  Hon.  D.  W.  Voorhees,  of  Indiana.  The  figure 
was  constructed  of  metal  taken  from  the  bronze  propeller  of  Farragut's 
flag-ship,  the  Hartford.     The  cost  of  this  memorial  was  ^25,000. 

McPherson  Square,  on  Vermont  avenue,  is  ornamented  with  an  eques- 
trian statue  of  General  James  B.  McPherson,  which  was  erected  by  the 
Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.     It  stands  on  a  massive  granite 


STATUE   OF    WASHINGTON. 


76 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


STATUE   OF   EMANCIPATION   IN    LINCOLN   PARK. 


pedestal,  and  the  statue  and  pedestal  cost  nearly  ^50,000.  The  sculptor 
was  Louis  T.  Robisso,  and  the  statue  was  cast  from  cannon  appropriated 
by  Congress  for  the  purpose.  The  height  of  the  figure  is  fourteen  feet, 
and  the   horse  is  twelve  feet  long.     When  the  statue  was  unveiled,  on 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  yj 

October  i8,  1876,  there  was  an  imposing  military  display,  and  an  oration 
was  delivered  by  General  John  A.  Logan. 

Greene  Square,  on  Capitol  Hill,  contains  an  equestrian  statue  of  Gen- 
eral Nathaniel  Greene  of  the  Continental  Army,  which  was  erected  in 
1877,  at  a  cost  of  ^50,000.  H.  T.  Brown  was  the  sculptor,  and  it  was  ca^t 
in  Philadelphia.  It  stands  on  a  pedestal  of  New  England  granite,  twenty 
feet  in  height.  The  total  height  of  the  statue  is  thirty-three  and  one- half 
feet,  and  its  length  is  fourteen  feet. 

Rawlins  Square,  on  New  York  avenue,  has  a  bronze  figure  of  General 
John  A.  Rawlins  on  a  granite  pedestal.  It  was  erected  in  1874,  was 
modelled  by  J.  Bailey,  and  cost  ;^  12,500.  It  is  eight  feet  high,  and  the 
pedestal  is  twelve  feet  high. 

Judiciary  Square,  on  Louisiana  avenue,  contains  the  I)istrict  Court- 
House  and  Pension  Building.  A  marble  column  surmounted  by  a  statue 
of  President  Lincoln  stands  in  front  of  the  Court-House.  This  square 
has  a  park  of  about  twenty  acres,  with  handsome  lawns  and  garden-plats. 

Washington  Circle,  at  the  western  end  of  Pennsylvania  avenue,  has  in 
its  centre  an  equestrian  statue  of  General  Washington,  intended  to  repre- 
sent him  as  he  appeared  at  the  battle  of  Princeton.  It  is  the  work  of 
Clark  Mills,  and  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $50,000,  which  sum  was  appro- 
priated by  Congress  in  1853. 

Dupont  Circle,  at  the  intersection  of  Connecticut,  Massachusetts,  and 
New  Hampshire  avenues,  contains  a  bronze  figure  of  Admiral  Samuel 
Francis  Dupont,  by  Launt  Thompson,  which  was  unveiled  on  December 
20,  1884,  Hon.  Thomas  F.  Bayard  delivering  the  oration.  The  figure  is 
of  heroic  proportions,  and  represents  the  admiral,  in  full  uniform,  as  stand- 
ing on  the  quarter-deck,  marine  glass  in  hand.  The  pedestal  is  of  gray 
granite  with  a  base  of  blue  rock.     The  cost  of  the  statue  was  ;^  10,500. 

Thomas  Circle,  at  the  intersection  of  Fourteenth  street,  Massachusetts 
and  Vermont  avenues,  contains  an  equestrian  statue  of  General  George 
H.  Thomas,  on  a  granite  pedestal  ornamented  with  bronze  tablets,  upon 
which  is  the  insignia  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  The  statue  and 
pedestal  are  thirty-two  feet  in  height,  and  they  were  executed  at  a  cost 
of  ;^75,ooo.  The  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  erected  the 
statue,  and  Congress  provided  the  money  for  the  pedestal.  The  unveil- 
ing ceremony  took  place  on  November  19,  1879,  and  on  the  occasion 
there  was  a  grand  military  and  civic  parade,  and  Hon.  Stanley  Matthews 
delivered  an  oration. 

Iowa  Circle,  at  the  intersection  of  Rhode  Island  and  Vermont  ave- 
nues, has  as  yet  no  memorial  statue.  There  is  a  small  park  in  its  centre 
containing  a  fountain. 


78 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


STATUE  OF  GENERAL  THOMAS. 


There  are  one  hun- 
dred   and    eighty-one 
churches  in  Washing- 
ton,   with,    it    is    esti- 
mated, fifty   thousand 
communicants.   Of  the 
churches,  fifty-two  are 
Methodist,     forty  -  five 
Baptist,    twenty-six 
Episcopal,  twenty-one 
Presbyterian,    thirteen 
CathoHc,ten  Lutheran, 
f  o  u  r   Congregational, 
two  Hebrew,  one  Uni- 
tarian, one   Universal- 
ist,  one  Christian,  one 
Swedenborgian,     and 
four     non  -  sectarian. 
In  the  Sunday-schools 
there    are   about   forty 
thousand      scholars. 
Nearly  one-half  of  the 
population  of  the  city 
attend   church, — a  remarkable   proportion 
as  compared  with  other  cities.    The  oldest 
church   is    the   Christ    Episcopal    Church, 
near  the  navy-yard,  which  was  erected  in 
1795.      St.  John's  Episcopal  Church,  op- 
street,  was   built    in   18 16.      Many  of  the 


posite  Lafayette  Park,  on   H 
Presidents  have  attended  this  church. 

The  public  school  system  is  an  admirable  one.  Nearly  1^550,000  are 
yearly  appropriated  for  the  schools  of  the  district.  There  are  numerous 
large  and  handsome  school  buildings  provided  with  every  convenience. 
The  Franklin  School  is  the  most  notable  of  the  white  schools,  and  the 
Sumner  School  of  the  colored.  Over  five  hundred  teachers  are  employed 
in  the  different  schools,  and  there  are  nearly  thirty  thousand  pupils. 

There  are  five  great  public  markets  in  Washington,  profusely  supplied 
with  everything  required.  The  Center  Market  is  the  largest,  and  it  is 
also  considered  one  of  the  finest  markets  in  the  United  States.  Its  four 
spacious  buildings  were  erected  at  a  cost  of  ^350,000,  and  opened  in  the 
summer  of  1873.     Around  the  market  are  many  hucksters'  stands,  and 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


79 


on  the  broad  street  back  of  it  can  be  seen  every  day  innumerable  wagons 
with  vegetables.  The  Northern  Liberty  Market  is  a  very  large  building, 
erected  in  1875,  at  a  cost  of  ^150,000.  By  the  market  system  the  people 
of  the  city  are  provided  with  the  best  of  meats  and  produce.  The  farmers 
of  Maryland  and  Virginia  bring  their  "  truck"  to  the  markets  in  gre'at 
quantities,  and  are  sure  of  finding  a  ready  sale. 

By  Act  of  Congress,  approved  by  the  President  on  the  nth  of  June, 
1878,  the  present  government  of  the  District  of  Columbia  by  three  com- 
missioners was  established.  The  commissioners  are  appointed  by  the 
President  for  a  term  of  three  years,  and  consist  of  two  civilians  and  one 
officer  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers  of  the  United  States  Army.  They 
receive  ;^5000  each  per  year,  and  have  full  control  of  the  affairs  of  the 
district  under  the  supervision  of  Congress.  The  United  States  assumes 
one-half  of  the  expenses  of  the  district  and  of  the  cost  of  all  the  im- 
provements, and  the  annual  expenditure  of  the  government  in  this  way 
is  nearly  two  million  dollars. 

While  Washington  is  devoid  of  large  commercial  and  manufacturing 
interests,  and  dependent  in  a  great  measure  upon  the  business  of  the 
government,  it  has  during  the  past  ten  years  made  considerable  progress 
in  developing  trade  with  the  adjacent  country,  and  has  also  begun  certain 
lines  of  manufacturing  which  in  time  may  be  greatly  increased.  The 
city  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition,  and  there  is,  apparently,  nothing  to 
hinder  its  advancement. 


< 

D 


Z 

w 
S 

Z 


c 
z 

<! 

K 

p 


z 

a 
S 

Of! 

< 

3 
a 


z 

D 

O 

o 


CHAPTER    VI. 

• 
THE   WASHINGTON   MONUMENT-DETAILS  OF  THE  LOFTY  CENOTAPH-THE  MEMORIAL 
STONES    FROM    ALL    PARTS    OF    THE    WORLD-THE    KEYSTONE,    CAPSTONE,    AND 
ALUMINIUM    TIP-CEREMONY    OF    SETTING    THE    CAPSTONE-HISTORY    OF    THE 
MONUMENT. 

IHE  Washington  Monument  is  a  massive  shaft  of  fine  white 
marble  with  a  pyramidal  top.  It  is  simple  in  form,  but  has 
a  harmony  of  proportion  which  will  be  likely  to  give  it  en- 
during beauty.  Its  tapering  lines  produce  a  wonderful  grace 
and  lightness,  and  looking  at  it  from  a  distance  one  can  hardly  conceive 
it  to  be  the  huge  structure  that  it  is.  After  many  years  this  grand 
memorial  to  the  Father  of  His  Country  has  been  completed  and  dedi- 
cated, and  now  stands  towering  over  the  city  he  founded,  the  loftiest  arti- 
ficial elevation  in  the  world.  From  the  base-line  to  the  aluminium  point 
which  crowns  the  shaft  the  height  is  exactly  five  hundred  and  fifty-five 
feet  four  inches.  The  shaft  rests  on  foundations  thirty-six  feet  eight 
inches  deep,  making  an  aggregate  height  from  the  foundation-bed  of  592 
feet.  The  next  highest  structure  is  the  Pyramid  of  Cheops  in  Egypt, 
which  has  an  elevation  of  543  feet,  and  following  this  is  the  Cologne 
Cathedral  in  Germany,  the  central  spire  of  which  is  524  feet  high.  The 
Antwerp  Cathedral  in  Belgium  is  476  feet  high,  and  St.  Peter's  at  Rome 
is  448  feet.  It  is  proposed  to  build  the  tower  of  the  new  City  Hall  at 
Philadelphia  to  a  height  of  535  feet. 

The  foundations  of  the  monument,  which  bear  a  weight  of  81,120 
tons,  are  constructed  of  solid  blue  rock,  and  are  one  hundred  and  forty- 
six  feet  six  inches  square.  The  base  of  the  shaft  is  fifty-five  feet  square, 
and  the  lower  walls  are  fifteen  feet  thick.  At  the  five  hundred  feet  ele- 
vation, where  the  pyramidal  top  begins,  the  walls  are  only  eighteen  inches 
thick  and  about  thirty-five  feet  square.  The  inside  of  the  walls,  as  far  as 
they  were  constructed  before  the  work  was  undertaken  by  the  govern- 
ment in  1878,-150  feet  from  the  base,— is  of  blue  granite,  not  laid  in 
courses.  From  this  point  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  beginning  of 
the  top  or  roof,  the  inside  of  the  walls  is  of  regular  courses  of  granite, 

6  81 


32  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

corresponding  with  the  courses  of  marble  on  the  outside.  For  the  top 
marble  is  entirely  used.  The  marble  blocks  were  cut  or  "  dressed"  in 
the  most  careful  manner,  and  laid  in  courses  of  two  feet  by  experienced 
and  skilful  workmen.  There  is  no  "  filling"  or  "  backing"  between  the 
granite  and  marble  blocks,  but  they  are  all  closely  joined,  the  work  being 
declared  "  the  best  piece  of  masonry  in  the  world."  By  a  plumb-line 
suspended  from  the  top  of  the  monument  inside  the  walls  to  the  floor, 
the  most  minute  defection  from  the  perpendicular  line  can  be  ascertained 
at  a  glance.  During  all  the  work  on  the  enormous  shaft  not  three-eighths 
of  an  inch  defection  has  been  noticed, — a  mere  trifle  in  a  structure  of  this 
magnitude. 

In  the  interior  of  the  monument  are  eight  ponderous  columns  of  iron 
strongly  riveted,  which  extend  from  the  floor  to  the  top.  They  are  placed 
on  massive  stones  bedded  in  the  rock  foundations,  and  support  the  iron 
staircase  and  elevator.  They  are  so  securely  joined  and  braced  that  they 
will  bear  any  possible  weight.  The  elevator  is  suspended  by  steel-wire 
cables,  which  are  coiled  upon  a  great  drum  under  the  floor.  During  the 
progress  of  the  work  upon  the  monument  this  elevator  was  tested  in 
every  way.  All  the  marble  blocks  were  carried  up  on  it,  and  from  day 
to  day  it  "elevated"  greater  weight  than  will  ever  be  placed  on  it  again. 
The  staircase  is  wide  and  of  easy  ascent.  Every  fifty  feet  there  is  a 
platform,  whicii  extends  to  the  elevator,  so  that  visitors  can  get  on  or 
off  the  elevator  at  many  different  places.  There  are  900  steps  from  the 
beginning  to  the  end  of  the  staircase,  and  twenty  minutes  are  required  to 
walk  to  the  top  of  the  monument.  The  elevator  goes  to  the  top  in  seven 
minutes.  The  interior  is  lighted  by  electricity,  as  there  are  no  openings 
in  the  shaft  except  the  entrance  door  and  small  windows  at  the  top. 

In  the  rubble-stone  masonry  of  the  lower  interior  walls  are  set  a 
number  of  memorial-stones,  sent  to  the  Washington  Monument  Society 
by  states,  corporations,  and  foreign  governments  to  be  inserted  in  the 
monument,  but  in  the  upper  walls  no  such  stones  were  set,  as  they  would 
have  weakened  the  shaft.  About  one  hundred  of  these  stones  remain, 
and  the  greater  number  will  be  cut  down  to  thin  slabs  and  placed  on  the 
surface  of  the  interior  walls.  Many  of  them  are  elaborately  carved,  and 
must  have  cost  a  great  deal  of  money.  They  are  of  marble,  fine  granite, 
sandstone,  and  brownstone,  and  there  is  one  block  of  pure  copper. 
Among  the  finest  are  those  inscribed  "  Corporation  of  Philadelphia," 
"  Greece,"  and  "  Bremen."  One  stone  is  inscribed,  "  From  the  Temple 
of  Esculapius,  Island  of  Paros."  Other  stones  are  inscribed,  "Oldest 
Inhabitants  District  of  Columbia,  1870,"  "The  Free  Swiss  Confederation, 
1870,"  "Engine   Company  Northern   Liberty,   Philadelphia,"  "Fire    De- 


THE    WASHINGTON    MONUMENT. 


84 


ri^E    NATIONAL  -CAPITAL. 


partment,  Philadelphia,  1852,"  "Georgia  Convention,  1850,"  "Lafayette 
Masons,  New  York  City,  1853,"  "Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  1851," 
"Continental  Guard,  New  Orleans,  1856,"  "Jefferson  Society,  Va.," 
"Grand  Division  Sons  of  Temperance  of  Illinois,  1855,"  "The  Sons  of 
New  England  in  Canada,"  "Deseret  (Utah)  Holiness  to  the  Lord,"  "From 
Braddock's  Field,"  "  Battle-Ground,  Long  Island,"  "  Charlestown,  the 
Bunker  Hill  Battle-Ground,"  "Cherokee  Nation,  1855,"  "Michigan," 
"  Vermont,"  "  Kansas,"  "  Salem,"  "  American  Medical  Association," 
"  Templars  of  Honor  and  Temperance,  New  York,"  "  Sons  of  Temper- 
ance, Pennsylvania,"  "Brazil,"  "Arabia,"  "China,"  "Nevada,  1881." 
Two  stones  sent  some  years  before  the  war  of  the  rebellion  are  inscribed 
"  The  State  of  Louisiana, — Ever  Faithful  to  the  Constitution  and  the 
Union,"  and  "Tennessee, — the  Federal  Union  it  must  be  preserved."  One 
sandstone  block  from  Switzerland  is  inscribed,  "  This  block  of  stone  is 
from  the  original  chapel  built  to  William  Tell,  in  1338,  on  Lake  Lucerne, 
Switzerland,  at  the  spot  where  he  escaped  from  Gessler." 

One  of  the  memorial  stones  received  was  a  gift  from  the  Pope.  It 
was  a  beautiful  block  of  African  marble,  which  had  been  taken  from  the 
Temple  of  Concord,  at  Rome,  and  was  inscribed  with  the  simple  words 
"  Rome  to  America."  At  that  time  the  Know-Nothing  movement  was 
rife,  and  a  fanatical  minister  published  an  address  to  the  Protestants  of 
the  country  against  placing  the  Pope's  block  of  marble  in  the  monument. 
Such  a  religious  excitement  was  created  that,  on  the  night  of  March  5, 
1854,  the  block  was  taken  by  force  from  the  building  where  it  was  kept, 
and,  it  is  supposed,  thrown  into  the  river.  The  Washington  Monument 
Society  offered  a  large  reward  for  the  apprehension  of  the  persons  engaged 
in  this  act  of  vandalism,  but  they  were  never  discovered. 

The  keystone  that  binds  the  interior  ribs  of  stone  that  support  the 
marble  facing  of  the  pyramidal  cap  of  the  monument  weighs  nearly  five 
tons.  It  is  four  feet  six  inches  high,  and  three  feet  six  inches  square  at 
the  top.  Its  sides  were  finished  in  the  usual  shape  of  keystones,  but 
above  the  wedge  which  keys  and  completes  the  arch  it  has  a  perpendicu- 
lar extension  to  brace  the  interior  stone  blocks.  When  it  was  set  two 
prominent  Masons  of  Washington  ascended  to  the  top  of  the  monument, 
and  with  a  small  trowel  used  on  many  occasions  of  Masonic  corner-stone 
laying  helped  to  spread  the  mortar  which  was  to  bind  the  arch  under  the 
keystone. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  1848,  the  corner-stone  of  the  monument  was  laid, 
and  on  the  6th  of  December,  1884,  the  capstone  which  completed  the 
shaft  was  set.  The  capstone  is  five  feet  two  and  one-half  inches  in 
height,  and  its  base  is  somewhat  more  than  three  feet  square.     At  its  cap 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


8  = 


ENTRANCE  TO  THE  MONUMENT. 


or  peak  it  is  five  inches  in  diameter.  On  the  cap  was  placed  a  tip  or 
point  of  aluminium,  a  composition  metal  which  resembles  polished  silver, 
and  which  was  selected  because  of  its  lightness  and  freedom  from  oxida- 
tion, and  because  it  will  always  remain  bright.  The  tip  is  nine  inches  in 
height,  and  four  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter  at  the  base,  and  weighs  six 
pounds  and  a  quarter. 

Engraved  on  one  side  of  the  tip  is  the  following  inscription  :  "  Chief 
Engineer  and  Architect,  Thomas  Lincoln  Casey,  Colonel  Corps  of  En- 
gineers; Assistants,  George  W.  Davis,  Fourteenth  United  States  Infantry; 
Bernard  R.  Green,  Civil  Engineer;  P.  H.  McLaughlin,  Master  Mechanic." 
On  the  three  other  sides  are  these-  inscriptions  :  "  Corner-stone  laid  on 
bed  of  foundation  July  4,  1848.  First  stone  at  height  of  152  feet,  laid 
August  7,  1880.  Capstone  set  December  6,  1884."  "Joint  commission 
at  setting  of  capstone,  Chester  A.  Arthur,  W.  W.  Corcoran,  M.  E.  Bell, 
Edward  Clark,  John  Newton,     Act  of  August  2,  1876."     "  Laus  Deo." 

Nature  was  in  a  stormy  mood  on  the  day  the  capstone  was  set.  It 
rained  during  the  morning,  but  when  the  time  arrived  for  the  ceremony, 
two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  rain  had  ceased  but  the  wind  was  blow- 
ing furiously.  At  the  top  of  the  monument  the  wind-gauge  showed  that 
the  gale  had  a  velocity  of  sixty  miles  an  hour.  Thousands  of  glasses 
were  pointed  at  the  huge  shaft  as  those  who  were  to  participate  in  the 
setting  of  the  capstone  made  their  appearance  on  the  small  platform  550 


86 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


feet  in  the  air.  When  everything  was  ready  each  person  on  the  platform 
spread  some  cement  upon  the  bed  of  the  capstone,  and  then  the  order 
was  given  to  "  lower  away,"  and  the  3300  pound  pyramid  slowly  sank 
into  position.  The  stone  fitted  exactly,  and  not  a  chip  was  taken  from  it. 
Cement  was  then  spread  on  the  shoulder  on  which  the  aluminium  tip  was 
to  rest,  and  various  coins  were  placed  in  it.  The  tip  was  then  fitted  to 
the  cap  and  the  shaft  was  done.  A  moment  afterwards  the  American  flag 
was  hoisted  above  the  monument  and  cannon  below  were  fired. 

Immediately  after  the  cannon  had  announced  that  the  mighty  structure 
was  completed  members  of  the  Washington  Monument  Society  held  a 
meeting  at  the  top  of  the  shaft  and  adopted  this  resolution:  ''Resolved, 
That  we  are  thankful  to  have  the  opportunity  of  this  occasion,  and  at  this 
elevation,  to  congratulate  the  American  people  on  the  completion  of 
this  enduring  monument  of  our  nation's  gratitude  to  the  Father  of  His 
Country." 

Thus  after  many  years  of  delay  and  many  years  of  patient  labor  this 
wonderful  memorial,  in  many  particulars  the  world's  greatest  work  of 
construction,  was  successfully  finished. 

The  view  from  the  top  of  the  monument  is  grand  beyond  descrip- 
tion. In  the  lower  course  of  the  roof-stones  on  each  side  there  are  two 
windows,  making  eight  windows   in   all  from  which  an   outlook  can   be 

obtained  517  feet  above  the  ground. 
From  this  height  the  city  of  Wash- 
ington appears  spread  out  like  a  great, 
splendid  panorama,  all  its  broad  streets 
and  avenues,  parks  and  buildings,  being 
clearly  outlined  and  displayed.  The 
heights  of  Georgetown  and  the  ranges 
of  wooded  hills  on  the  north  and  east 
show  boldly  and  finely.  To  the  south 
and  southwest  the  Potomac  can  be 
seen  for  miles  winding  its  way  through 
a  picturesque  country,  and  afar  off  the 
Blue  Ridge  mountains  look  like  clouds 
of  mist  on  the  horizon.  Looking 
down  at  the  base  of  the  monument  a 
novel  sight  is  presented.  As  is  well 
known,  parallel  lines  by  the  laws  of 
perspective  converge  as  they  disappear 
from  the  sight,  and  looking  from  the 
top  of  the   monument  downward  the 


IN   THE    ELEVATOR. 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


87 


CAPSTONE   OF  THE   MONUMENT,  SHOWING  THE  ALUMINIUM   TIP. 


sides  of  the  shaft  seem  to  draw  towards  each  other,  and  the  base  appears 
narrower  than  the  top.  The  sensation  of  standing  on  a  high  structure 
which  is  apparently  wider  at  the  top  than  the  bottom  is  pecuhar. 

The  cost  of  the  monument  has  been  ^1,187,710,  and  it  will  require  at 
least  ;$200,ooo  more  to  complete  the  interior  and  arrange  the  grounds. 
Congress  has  appropriated  ^887,710  of  the  amount  expended,  and  the 
balance  was  furnished  by  the  Washington  Monument  Society.  The 
monument  stands  on  a  terrace  seventeen  feet  high,  and  this  terrace  will  be 
extended  until  its  slopes  gradually  sink  into  the  surrounding  grounds. 
Trees  and  shrubs  will  be  planted  and  walks  laid  out.  The  square  of  forty- 
one  acres  in  which  the  monument  is  located  is  a  part  of  the  Mall,  and  is 
bounded  by  Fourteenth  street  and  the  Potomac  river.  On  L'Enfant's 
plan  of  the  city  this  square  was  designated  as  the  site  for  the  proposed 
monument  to  Washington  which  was  ordered  by  the  Continental  Con- 
gress in  1783. 


88 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


In  1799,  directly  after  the  death  of  Washington,  Congress  again 
resolved  to  erect  a  marble,  monument  "  in  a  pyramidal  form,"  but  failed 
to  appropriate  any  money  for  it.  In  May,  1800,  a  select  Congressional 
committee  reported  a  resolution  proposing  an  appropriation  of  ^100,000 
for  beginning  the  work  on  the  monument.  The  resolution  was  adopted 
by  the  House  of  Representatives,  but  was  not  concurred  in  by  the  Senate. 
From  that  time  until  1833  nothing  further  was  done  in  regard  to  the 
monument,  and  probably  nothing  would  have  been  done  to  this  day  had 
it  not  been  for  a  few  patriotic  citizens  of  Washington,  who  met  in  the  City 
Hall  on  the  evening  of  September  26,  1833,  and  organized  the  National 
Washington  Monument  Society.  The  movement  was  started  by  George 
Watterson,  who  was  Librarian  of  Congress  from  18 15  to  1829,  and  he 
was  aided  by  Peter  Force,  Joseph  Gales,  William  Cranch,  W.  W.  Seaton, 
and  other  prominent  citizens.  The  venerable  Chief  Justice  John  Marshall, 
who  was  then  eighty-five  years  old,  was  chosen  as  president  of  the  society, 
and  George  Watterson  as  secretary.  The  society  issued  an  appeal  to  the 
country  for  contributions,  which  were  not  to  exceed  one  dollar  from  any 


COMPLETING   THE   MONUMENT. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


89 


STAGING   AT   THE   TOP   OF   THE   MONUMENT   DURING 
THE   WORK   OF   COMPLETION. 


one  person.  In  three  years 
the  contributions  amounted  to 
;^28,ooo,  and  then  a  design  for 
the  monument  was  selected 
from  a  large  number  submitted 
in  response  to  an  advertise- 
ment for  one  which  would 
"  harmoniously  blend  durabil- 
ity, simplicity,  and  grandeur." 
The  design  made  by  Robert 
Mills,  one  of  the  architects  of 
the  Capitol,  was  accepted.  It 
was  for  a  circular  colonnaded 
building,  250  feet  in  diameter 
and  100  feet  high,  from  the 
centre  of  which  there  was  to 
be  an  obelisk  shaft  rising  to 
the    height    of    500   feet    and 

diminishing  to  forty  feet  square  at  the  top.  Thirty  columns  of  massive 
proportions  were  to  surround  the  rotunda,  and  they  were  to  be  sur- 
mounted by  an  entablature  twenty  feet  high  and  crowned  by  a  balustrade 
fifteen  feet  high.  This  design  was  set  aside  some  years  after,  and  that 
of  a  plain  shaft  rising  from  a  terrace  adopted  instead. 

In  1847  the  monument  fund  amounted  to  ^87,000.  The  one  dollar 
rule  had  been  abolished  and  contributions  of  any  amount  were  received. 
In  January,  1848,  Congress  authorized  the  monument  society  to  select 
any  of  the  unoccupied  public  grounds  as  a  site  for  the  monument,  and 
accordingly  President  Polk,  who  was  ex-officio  president  of  the  society, 
selected  the  square  where  .the  monument  now  stands.  On  the  4th  of 
July,  1848,  the  corner-stone  of  the  monument  was  laid.  In  an  account  of 
the  event  it  is  stated  that  "  the  ceremonies  were  interesting  and  impressive, 
and  were  attended  by  an  immense  crowd,  the  largest  since  the  funeral  of 
President  Harrison,  in  1841.  It  is  estimated  that  20,000  people  must 
have  been  present.  Strangers  flocked  to  the  city  and  the  cars  were 
insufficient  for  their  accommodation.  Every  organization  and  everybody 
turned  out.  Among  the  guests  on  the  grand  stand  were  Mrs.  Alexander 
Hamilton,  then  ninety-one  years  old  ;  George  Washington  Park  Custis, 
Mrs.  Dolly  Paine  Madison,  Mrs.  John  Quincy  Adams,  Chief  Justice 
Taney,  Lewis  Cass,  Martin  Van  Buren,  and  Millard  Fillmore.  Not  the 
least  prominent  in  the  assembly  was  a  live  eagle,  twenty-five  years  old 
which  twenty- four  years  before  had  appeared  in  the  pageant  to  celebrate 


90 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


'"^^mmmh 


COL.    THOMAS    L.    CASEY,    CHIEF    ENGINEER 
OF   THE   MONUMENT. 


the  arrival  of  Lafayette.  B.  B. 
French,  the  Grand  Master  of 
Ma.sons,  in  laying  the  corner-stone, 
used  the  Masonic  gavel  of  Wash- 
ington, who  was  a  Master  Mason. 
Mr.  French  also  wore  Washington's 
Masonic  apron,  and  sat  in  the  chair 
which  Washington  occupied  in  the 
Alexandria  lodge."  Hon.  Robert  C. 
Winthrop,  of  Boston,  then  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
delivered  an  oration  upon  the  life 
and  character  of  Washington. 

Work  on  the  monument  was 
begun  at  once  and  carried  on  until 
1854,  when  it  was  suspended,  as  the 
monument  society  had  expended  all 
the  money  it  had  received,  and  was 
unable  to  obtain  more.  The  shaft  was  then  150  feet  high  and  had  cost 
;^2  50,000.  Memorials  were  presented  to  Congress,  from  time  to  time, 
praying  that  the  government  should  assume  the  work  and  finish  the 
structure,  but  there  was  no  practical  result  until  July,  1876,  when  "the 
centennial  feeling"  then  prevailing  induced  Congress  to  make  an  appro- 
priation for  the  monument.  The  government  took  charge  of  the  con- 
struction, and  officers  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers  were  directed  to  examine 
and  extend  the  foundations  of  the  shaft.  In  1878  the  entire  management 
of  the  construction  of  the  monument  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  com- 
mission consisting  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the  chief  of 
engineers,  the  first  vice-president  of  the  monument  society,  the  architect 
of  the  Capitol,  and  the  supervising  architect  of  the  Treasury.  Col.  T.  L. 
Casey  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers  was  detailed  to  superintend  the  work, 
which  has  been  carried  on  in  a  systematic  and  skilful  manner. 

On  the  2 1  St  of  February,  1885,  the  monument  was  dedicated  with 
imposing  ceremonies  in  the  presence  of  many  thousands  of  persons  from 
all  parts  of  the  United  States. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

THE  CAPITOL— ADVERTISING  FOR  A  DESIGN— THE  CONTEST  BETWEEN  HALLATE  AND 
THORNTON— LAYING  THE  CORNER  STONE— AN  ANCIENT  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  CERE- 
MONY—THE REAL  ARCHITECT  OF  THE  OLD  OR  ORIGINAL  CAPITOI^BUILDING 
THE  EXTENSIONS  — WEBSTER'S  INSCRIPTION  ON  THE  CORNER-STONE  OF  THE 
SOUTH   EXTENSION. 

N  the  14th  of  March,  1792,  the  following  advertisement 
appeared  in  Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser  of  Phila- 
delphia :  "  Washington,  in  the  Territory  of  Columbia.  A 
premium  of  a  lot  in  this  city  to  be  designated  by  impartial 
judges,  and  five  hundred  dollars,  or  a  medal  of  that  value  at  the  option 
of  the  party,  will  be  given  by  the  Commissioners  of  the  Federal  Buildings 
to  the  person  who,  before  the  15th  of  July,  1792,  shall  produce  to  them 
the  most  approved  plan  for  a  Capitol  to  be  erected  in  this  city;  and  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  or  a  medal  for  the  plan  deemed  next  in  merit  to 
the  one  they  shall  adopt.  The  building  to  be  of  brick  and  to  contain  the 
following  apartments,  to  wit :  A  conference  room,  a  room  for  the  Repre- 
sentatives, sufficient  to  accommodate  three  hundred  persons  each;  a 
lobby  or  ante-chamber  to  the  latter;  a  Senate  room  of  twelve  hundred 
square  feet  area ;  an  ante-chamber ;  twelve  rooms  of  six  hundred  square 
feet  each  for  committee  rooms  and  clerks'  offices.  It  will  be  a  recom- 
mendation of  any  plan  if  the  central  part  of  it  may  be  detached  and 
erected  for  the  present,  with  the  appearance  of  a  complete  whole,  and  be 
capable  of  admitting  the  additional  parts  in  future,  if  they  shall  be 
wanting.  Drawings  will  be  expected  of  the  grand  plats,  elevations  of 
each  front,  and  sections  through  the  building  in  such  directions  as  may 
be  necessary  to  explain  the  internal  structure  ;  and  an  estimate  of  the 
cubic  feet  of  brick  work  composing  the  whole  mass  of  the  walls." 

This  was  the  advertisement  of  Thomas  Johnson,  David  Stuart,  and 
Daniel  Carroll,  who  were  the  commissioners  appointed  by  President 
Washington  to  lay  out  the  new  Federal  Territory.  They  were  charged 
by  act  of  Congress  with  the  erection  of  a  suitable  building  "  for  the 
accommodation    of    Congress."      Major   L'Enfant,    in    his    plan    of    the 

91 


p 
< 


o 


z 

o 


< 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


93 


Federal  city,  had  given  the  name  of  "  The  Capitol"  to  the  building 
intended  for  the  national  legislature,  and  this  name  being  satisfactory  to 
those  in  authority  had  been  formally  adopted.  The  sloping  hill  in  the 
eastern  quarter  was  nearly  the  centre  of  the  city,  and  therefore  the  com- 
missioners had  decided  to  place  the  Capitol  on  this  elevation,  so  that  it 
could  be  seen  from  all  points.  No  better  site  could  have  been  chosen, 
and  it  is  a  very  fortunate  thing  that  the  great  structure — "  the  nation's 
building" — was  not  erected  on  low  land,  as  it  would  have  lost  much  of 
its  imposing  and  significant  appearance.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  ad- 
vertisement for  the  design  states  that  the  building  was  to  be  constructed 
of  brick.  It  was  first  intended  to  use  this  material,  but  the  wiser  "  second 
thought"  led  the  commissioners  to  select  sandstone  instead.  Fancy  the 
Capitol  of  brick ! 

A  great  number  of  designs  were  immediately  submitted  in  response 
to  the  advertisement,  but  they  were  all  very  commonplace,  and  were 
promptly  rejected.  A  building  of  pure  classic  form  with  a  high  central 
dome  was  desired,  and  none  of  the  designs  met  the  requirements.  After 
a  little  time  an  outline  of  a  design  was  submitted  by  Stephen  Hallate,  a 
French  architect,  and  it  being  satisfactory  in  its  general  features,  he  was 
invited  to  confer  with  the  commissioners  about  it.  Hallate  was  a  resident 
of  New  York,  and  had  studied  architecture  in  Paris  and  Rome  under  the 
best  masters.  He  was  accounted  one  of  the  most  talented  architects  in 
America,  and  had  designed  a  number  of  prominent  buildings.  He  visited 
the  city  of  Washington  and  thoroughly  examined  the  site  chosen  for  the 
Capitol,  and  then  made  a  series  of  sketches  for  use  in  the  elaboration  of 
his   design.      The    commissioners  were  pleased  with  the   sketches,  and 


THE   CAPnOL   IN    1827. 


Q4  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

directed  Hallate  to  finish  the  design  and  they  would  accept  it.     With  this 
understanding  he  returned  to  New  York  to  do  the  work. 

At  that  time  there  was  hving  in  New  York  an  Enghshman  named 
WilHam  Thornton,  who  was  in  the  service  of  the  government  as  clerk 
of  patents.  He  appears  to  have  been  a  man  of  versatile  talent,  and  had 
acquired  a  good  deal  of  influence  with  Jefferson,  then  Secretary  of  State. 
Thornton  was  a  fine  draughtsman,  and  he  drew  a  very  handsome  plan  of 
the  Capitol,  with  every  part  elaborated  and  beautifully  colored,  which  he 
submitted  to  Jefferson.  The  plan  was  greatly  admired  by  all  the  high 
officials,  and  at  last  President  Washington  wrote  to  the  commissioners 
requesting  them  to  adopt  it.  The  commissioners  notified  Hallate  that 
they  should  have  to  do  this,  and  sent  him  a  copy  of  Thornton's  plan. 
When  he  saw  it  he  declared  with  great  indignation  that  it  was  stolen 
from  his  sketches,  and  was  not  original  with  Thornton.  This  accusation 
brought  on  a  bitter  quarrel  between  the  two  men,  and  for  weeks  they 
wrangled  over  the  matter  in  public  and  private,  and  continually  called 
each  other  very  hard  names.  But  finally  Thornton's  plan  was  accepted, 
and  he  received  the  first  premium  of  a  building  lot  and  $500.  The 
second  premium  of  ^250  was  given  to  Hallate,  and  he  was  also  appointed 
as  one  of  the  architects  of  the  Capitol,  with  a  salary  of  ;^2000  per  year, 
a  very  large  sum  in  those  days.  James  Hoban,  the  architect  of  the 
President's  House,  was  appointed  as  supervising  architect. 

Work  was  begun  at  once  on  the  Capitol,  and  on  September  18,  1793, 
the  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  was  performed.  In  the  Columbian 
Mirror  and  Alexandria  Gasette  of  September  25,  1793,  a  copy  of  which  is 
preserved  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  is  the  only  report  of  this  important 
event  known  to  be  in  existence.  The  following  is  an  exact  reproduction 
of  the  report : 

"  Georgetown,  Sept.  2 1 . 

"  On  Wednesday  last  one  of  the  grandest  Masonic  processions  took 
place  which  perhaps  ever  was  exhibited  on  the  like  important  occasion. 
It  was  in  all  probability  much  facilitated  by  an  advertisement  which  ap- 
peared many  days  before  in  several  newspapers  of  this  date.  Lodge  No. 
9  and  Lodge  No.  22  with  all  their  officers  and  regalia  appeared  on  the 
southern  bank  of  the  Grand  River  Potomack  ;  one  of  the  finest  companies 
of  Volunteer  Artillery  parading  to  receive  the  President  of  the  United 
States  who  shortly  came  in  sight  with  his  suite,  to  whom  the  artillery 
paid  military  honors,  and  his  Excellency  and  suite  crossed  the  river  and 
were  received  in  Maryland  by  the  officers  and  brethren  of  No  22  Vir- 
ginia, and  No.  9  Maryland,  whom  the  President  headed  and  preceded  by 
a  band  of  music  with  the  rear  brought  up  by  the  Alexandria  Volunteer 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


95 


MAIN    ENTRANCE   OF  THE  CAPITOL. 


Artillery  with  grand  solemnity  of  march  proceeded  to  the  President's 
Square  in  the  city  of  Washington,  where  they  were  met  and  saluted  by 
Lodge  No.  15  of  the  city  in  all  their  elegant  regalia  headed  by  Bro. 
Joseph  Clark  Rt.  W.  G.  M.  and  conducted  to  a  large  lodge  prepared  for 
the  purpose  of  their  reception.  After  a  short  space  of  time  the  brother- 
hood and  other  bodies  were  disposed  in  a  second  procession  which  took 
place  amidst  a  brilliant  crowd  of  spectators  of  both  sexes  according  to 
the  following  arrangement:  The  surveying  department  of  the  city  of 
Washington  ;  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  Georgetown  ;  Virginia  Artillery  ; 
Commissioners  of  the  city  of  Washington  and  their  attendants  ;  Stone 
Cutters;  Mechanics;  Two  Sword  Bearers;  Masons  of  the  First  Degree; 
Bibles,  etc.,  on  Grand  Cushions;  Deacons  with  Staffs  of  Office;  Masons 
of  the  Second  Degree  ;  Stewards  with  Wands  ;  Wardens  with  Truncheons  ; 
Secretaries  with  Tools  of  Office  ;  Past  Masters  with  their  Regalia ;  Treas- 
urers with  their  Jewels;  Band  of  Music;  Lodge  No.  22  of  Virginia,  dis- 
posed in  their  own  order;  Corn,  Wine,  and  Oil;  Grand  Master  P.  T. ; 
George  Washington;  W.  M.  No.  22,  Virginia;  Grand  Sword  Bearer. 


96 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


"  The  procession  marched  two  a  breast  in  the  greatest  solemn  dignity, 
with  music  playing,  drums  beating,  colors  flying,  and  spectators  rejoicing, 
from  the  President's  Square  to  the  Capitol  in  the  city  of  Washington, 
where  the  Grand  Marshal  ordered  a  halt,  and  directed  each  file  in  the 
procession  to  incline  two  steps,  one  to  the  right,  and  one  to  the  left,  and 
face  each  other,  which  formed  a  hollow  oblong  square,  through  which  the 
Grand  Sword  Bearer  led  the  van  followed  by  the  Grand  Master  P.  T.  on 
the  left,  the  President  of  the  United  States  in  the  centre,  and  the  Wor- 
shipful Master  of  No.  22,  Virginia,  on  the  right.  All  the  other  orders 
that  composed  the  procession  advanced  in  the  reverse  of  their  order 
of  march  from  the  President's  Square,  to  the  south  east  corner  of  the 
Capitol,  and  the  artillery  filed  off  to  a  destined  ground  to  display  their 
manoeuvres  and  discharge  their  cannon.  The  President  of  the  United 
States,  the  Grand  Master  P.  T.  and  the  Worshipful  Master  of  No.  22 
took  their  stands  to  the  east  of  a  huge  stone,  and  all  the  craft  forming  in 
a  circle  westward  stood  a  short  time  in  silent  awful  order. 

"  The  artillery  discharged  a  volley.  The  Grand  Marshal  delivered  the 
commissioners  a  large  silver  plate  with  an  inscription  thereon,  which  the 
commissioners  ordered  to  be  read,  and  was  as  follows: 

" '  This  southeast  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  of  the  United  States  of 
America  in  the  city  of  Washington  was  laid  on  the  i8th  day  of  Sep- 
tember, 1793,  in  the  13th  year  of  American  Independence,  in  the  first 
year  of  the  second  term  of  the  Presidency  of  George  Washington,  whose 
virtues  in  the  civil  administration  of  his  country  have  been  as  conspicuous 
and  beneficial  as  his  military  valor  and  prudence  have  been  useful  in  es- 
tablishing her  liberties,  and  in  the  year  of  Masonry  5793,  by  the  President 
of  the  United  States  in  concert  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland, 
several  lodges  under  its  jurisdiction,  and  Lodge  No.  22,  from  Alexandria, 
Virginia. 

"  '  Thomas  Johnson,    ^ 

"'David  Stuart,         ^  Coiiiiiiissioners. 

"'Daniel  Carroll,    j 

"  'Joseph  Clark,  R.  W.  G.  M.  P.  T. 

'"James  Hoban,  l^,,^/„v../c 

r  xit  c  line  CIS. 
Stephen  Hallate,  J 

"'Collen  Williamson,  M.  Mason! 

"  The  artillery  discharged  a  volley.  The  plate  was  then  delivered  to 
the  President,  who,  attended  by  the  Grand  Master  P.  T.  and  three  most 
worshipful  masters,  descended  to  the  caisson   trench   and  deposited  the 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  gy 

plate,  and  laid  on  it  the  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  on  which  was  deposited  corn,  wine,  and  oil.  Then  the  whole 
congregation  joined  in  prayer,  which  was  succeeded  by  Masonic  chanting 
honors'' and  a  volley  from  the  artillery.  The  President  of  the  United 
States  and  his  attendant  brethren  ascended  from  the  caisson  to  the  east  of 
the  corner-stone  and  there  the  Grand  Master  P.  T.  elevated  on  a  triple 
rostrum  delivered  an  oration,  after  which  there  was  more  Masonic 
chanting  and  a  15th  volley  from  the  artillery. 

"  The  whole  company  retired  to  an  extensive  booth  where  an  ox  of 
500  lbs.  was  barbacued,  of  which  the  company  generally  partook,  with 
every  abundance  of  other  recreation.  The  festival  concluded  with  15 
successive  volleys  from  the  artillery,  and  before  dark  the  whole  company 
departed  with  joyful  hopes  of  the  production  of  their  labor." 

Stephen  Hallate  never  forgot  that  he  had  been  deprived  of  the  honor 
of  designing  the  Capitol,  and  upon  every  occasion  took  particular  pains  to 
annoy  and  insult  the  commissioners.     They  bore  this  a  while,  and,  when 
patience  had  ceased  to  be  a  virtue,  dismissed  the  cantankerous  French- 
man, and  appointed  George  Hatfield,  a  resident  of  Washington,  to  finish 
the  construction  of  the  north  wing  of  the  Capitol.     He  was  also  full  of 
"  quarrel  and  offence,"  and  remained  only  a  few  months  at  the  work,  and 
James  Hoban  was  finally  compelled  to  carry  it  on  alone.     He  completed 
the  north  wing  in  time  for  Congress  to  occupy  it   in    November,    1800. 
Two  years  afterwards  the  commissioners  secured  a  very  capable  English 
architect  named  Benjamin   Henry  Latrobe,  and  gave  him  full  power  to 
complete  the  Capitol  after  his  own  plan.     Latrobe  had  been  a  pupil  of 
Cockrell,  the  greatest  London  architect  of  his  day,  had  travelled  exten- 
sively in  Europe,  was  the  master  of  seven  languages,  and  a  man  of  rare 
inventive  genius.     He  had  come  to  America  in  1796,  and  had  made  a  fine 
reputation  by  architectural  work  in  Southern  cities.     The  first  thing  he 
did  was  to  demolish  the  greater  part  of  the  north  wing  of  the  Capitol, 
which  had  been  very  badly  constructed,  and  then  he  began  to  build  upon 
a  better  plan.     He  secured  variegated  marble  from  Virginia  for  columns 
and   capitals,  employed  a  number  of   Italian   sculptors  to   make   artistic 
ornaments,  and  used  brains  and  method  in  his  work.     He  finished  both 
wings  in    181 1,  and  connected  them  by  a  wooden  bridge.     No  attempt 
was  made  to  construct  the  central  part  of  the  Capitol,  as  Congress  was 
not  inclined  to  appropriate  sufficient  money  for  the  purpose. 

After  the  British  had  burned  the  Capitol  in  18 14,  Congress  wrangled 
a  long  time  over  the  matter  of  rebuilding,  and  Latrobe,  fretting  at  the 
delay,  left  Washington  and  went  to   Pittsburg  to  build  a  steamboat  for 

7 


98 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


STATUE   OF   WAR    IN   MAIN    ENTRANCE   OF   THE   CAPITOL. 


Robert  Fulton.  It  was  not  long  before  he  was  invited  to  return,  and  was 
informed  that  if  he  would  undertake  the  reconstruction  of  the  Capitol  he 
would  be  furnished  with  ample  means.  He  accepted  the  invitation,  and 
began  the  work  with  the  determination  to  make  the  Capitol  rise  from  its 
ashes  grander  than  before.  Congress  leased  a  building  in  which  to  hold 
its  sessions  during  the  reconstruction. 

Latrobe  was  the  real  architect  of  the  old  Capitol, — the  central  or 
original  building  as  it  now  stands.  Thornton's  plan  was  not  followed  by 
him  in  the  slightest  particular,  and  the  small  amount  of  finished  work  he 
found  when  he  first  took  charge  he  pulled  to  pieces  and  rebuilt  after  his 
own  ideas.     All  of  the  exterior  of  the  building  is  his  work  save,  perhaps, 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


99 


STATUE   OF    PEACE    IN    MAIN    ENTRANCE   OF   THE   CAPITOL. 


the  walls  of  the  north  wing,  and  the  interior  was  either  constructed  or 
designed  by  him.  He  fashioned  the  old  Senate  chamber  and  the  old  Hall 
of  Representatives, — two  remarkable  specimens  of  classical  grace  and  sym- 
metry. From  1815  to  18 17  he  was  busily  engaged  in  restoring  the  Capitol, 
but  resigned  before  the  work  was  completed,  and  Charles  Bulfinch,  a 
Boston  architect,  took  his  place.  Bulfinch  used  Latrobe's  plans  during 
the  ten  years  he  labored,  and  in  1827  he  reported  the  building  finished. 

The  Capitol  at  that  time  had  cost  ^2,433,814.  It  was  three  hundred 
and  fifty-two  feet  four  inches  long  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  feet 
six  inches  wide,  exclusive  of  the  projections  or  steps,  which  on  the  east 
side   were    sixty-five   feet    in   width   and   on    the   west   eighty-three   feet. 


100 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


a...v\\'-'-> 


NATIONAL   BOTANICAL   GARDEN. 


The  wings  were  seventy  feet  high 
to  the  top  of  the  balustrade,  and 
the  central  dome,  which  was  con- 
structed of  wood  with  a  covering 
of  copper,  was  seventy-five  feet 
high. 

Until  1 85 1  nothing  of  conse- 
quence was  done  to  the  exterior 
of  the  Capitol,  but  its   architect, 

Robert  Mills,  made  some  slight  improvements  to  the  interior.  Congress 
decided  to  build  greater  wings  or  extensions  north  and  south,  in  which 
both  houses  might  be  better  accommodated,  and  accordingly,  on  the  4th 
of  July,  185 1,  the  corner-stone  of  the  south  extension  was  laid  with 
Masonic  rites.  President  Fillmore  participated  in  the  ceremony,  and 
Secretary  of  State  Daniel  Webster  delivered  an  oration.  A  tablet,  in- 
scribed as  follows,  was  placed  under  the  corner-stone: 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  the 
Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  in  the  city  of  Washington, 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  lOI 

being  the  4th  day  of  July,  1851,  this  stone,  designated  as  the  corner-stone 
of  the  Extension  of  the  Capitol,  according  to  a  plan  approved  by  the 
President,  in  pursuance  of  an  act  of  Congress,  was  laid  by  Millard  Fill- 
more, President  of  the  United  States,  assisted  by  the  Grand  Master  of 
the  Masonic  Lodges,  in  the  presence  of  many  members  of  Congress ;  of 
officers  of  the    Executive   and  Judiciary  Departments,   National,  State, 
and  District ;  of  officers  of  the  Army  and  Navy  ;  the  corporate  authorities 
of  this    and    neighboring   cities;    many  associations,  civil,  military,  and 
Masonic;  officers  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  National  Institute; 
professors  of  colleges  and  teachers  of  schools  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
with   their  students   and   pupils;    and   a  vast  concourse  of  people  from 
places  near  and  remote,  including  a  few  surviving  gentlemen  who  wit- 
nessed the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  by  President  Wash- 
ington, on  the   1 8th  day  of  September,   1793.     If.  therefore,  it  shall  be 
hereafter  the  will  of  God  that  this  structure  shall  fall  from  its  base,  that 
its  foundations  be  upturned,  and  this  deposit  brought  to  the  eyes  of  men, 
be  it  known  that  on  this  day  the  Union  of  the  United  States  of  America 
stands  firm  ;  that  their  Constitution  still  exists  unimpaired,  and  with  all 
its  original  usefulness  and  glory,  growing  every  day  stronger  and  stronger 
in  the  affections  of  the  great  body  of  the  American  people,  and  attracting 
more  and  more  the  admiration  of  the  world.     And  all  here  assembled, 
whether  belonging  to  public  life  or  to  private  life,  with  hearts  devoutly 
thankful  to  Almighty  God  for  the  preservation  of  the  liberty  and  happi- 
ness of  the  country,  unite  in  sincere  and  fervent  prayers  that  this  deposit, 
and  the  walls  and  arches,  the  domes  and  towers,  the  columns  and  entab- 
latures, now  to  be  erected  over  it,  may  endure  forever!     God  save  the 
United  States  of  America. 

"DANIEL   WEBSTER, 

"  Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States." 

The  architect  of  the  extensions  was  Thomas  U.  Walter,  of  Philadel- 
phia, who  had  designed  Girard  College  and  other  important  structures. 
He  prepared  plans  not  only  for  the  extensions,  but  for  the  present  dome. 
Sixteen  years  were  required  to  complete  this  reconstruction  of  the  Capitol, 
and  very  nearly  ten  million  dollars  were  expended.  All  of  the  work  was 
done  in  a  thoroughly  excellent  manner  under  the  supervision  of  General 
M.  C.  Meigs.  The  great  and  imposing  building  has  been  very  little 
changed  since  1867,  the  year  the  extensions  were  finished. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  CAPITOL-THE  CENTRAL  BUILDING  AND  THE  EXTENSIONS- 
VARIOUS  WORKS  OF  ART-THE  BRONZE  DOORS-THE  GREAT  DOME  AND  STATUE 
OF  FREEDOM-GREENOUGH'S  STATUE  OF  WASHINGTON-STATUE  OF  CHIEF  JUSTICE 
MARSHALL-THE  CAPITOL  PARK-THE   BOTANICAL  GARDEN-NAVAL  MONUMENT. 

O  building  in  America  has  the  majestic  appearance  of  the 
Capitol,  and  kw  in  the  world  can  be  compared  to  it  in  gran- 
deur and  massiveness.  It  stands  on  the  brow  of  a  hill  ninety 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  Potomac  river,  and  its  huge  white 
dome  glittering  in  the  sunlight  can  be  seen  for  many  miles.  It  is  751 
feet  four  inches  long,  and,  including  the  projections,  324  feet  wide,  and 
covers  nearly  four  acres.  Around  it  is  a  beautiful  park  forty-six  acres  in 
extent.  The  central  building,  or  what  is  known  as  the  original  Capitol, 
is  of  Virginia  sandstone  painted  white,  and  the  two  extensions,  or  Senate 
and  House  wings,  are  of  fine  white  marble  from  quarries  at  Lee,  Massa- 
chusetts. There  is  a  rustic  basement  upon  which  rests  the  principal  story, 
and  above  this  is  the  attic  story,  surmounted  by  the  entablature  and  bal- 
ustrade. A  series  of  columns  and  pilasters  go  entirely  around  the  build- 
ing. The  central  part  is  352  feet  four  inches  long  and  121  feet  six  inches 
wide,  and  the  extensions  are  each  142  feet  eight  inches  long  and  238  feet 
ten  inches  wide.  The  corridors  which  connect  the  extensions  with  the 
centre  are  each  forty-four  feet  long  and  fifty-six  feet  wide. 

The  Capitol  faces  to  the  east,  and  its  rear  or  western  front  overlooks 
the  populous  part  of  Washington.  It  was  originally  located  in  this  way 
because  it  was  believed  that  the  city  would  grow  almost  entirely  to  the 
east  over  the  broad,  level  plateau  which  constitutes  Capitol  Hill,  and  the 
Capitol  would  then  face  the  most  prominent  section.  This  was  not  the 
case,  however,  as  the  city  developed  on  its  northwestern  side,  and  the 
eastern  section  for  many  years  was  but  sparsely  settled,  and  even  to-day 
does  not  contain  one-tenth  part  of  the  population  of  the  city.  The  Capi- 
tol, therefore,  stands  with  its  "  front  door  on  the  back  side"  like  the  Irish- 
man's shanty,  but  it  is  likely  that,  before  many  years,  the  western  front 

103 


DOME   OF   THE   CAPITOL. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


105 


will  be  made  like  the  eastern,  so  that 

the  building  will  then  have  two  "  front 

doors"  precisely  alike. 

The  central  portico  at  the  main  en- 
trance on  the  eastern  front  of  the  Capi- 
tol has  twenty-four  ponderous  columns 

of    sandstone,    which    were    erected    in 

1825.     They  are  thirty  feet   high,  and 

each    is    composed    of   a    single    stone. 

On    the    tympanum    of   the    portico    is 

an     allegorical     group,    designated     as 

the  "  Genius   of  America,"   which   was 

sculptured   in   sandstone   by   Persico,   a 

distinguished     Roman    sculptor.       The 

design    was    drawn    by    John     Quincy 

Adams  when  Secretary  of  State.     The 

central  figure  represents  America  with 

a  shield  and  spear.     The  shield  has  on 

it  the   letters  U.  S.  A.,  and   rests   on  a 

low  altar   decorated   with   a  wreath   of 

oak  leaves  encircling  the  date,  July  4, 

1776.      At  the  feet  of  America  sits  a 

large  eagle,  and  on  the  right  and  left 

are  figures   representing  Justice  and  Hope.     Justice  holds   in    her  right 

hand  an  open  scroll  inscribed  "  Constitution  of  the  United  States,"  and 

in   her  left  perfectly-balanced  scales.     Hope  rests   upon  an  anchor,  and 

is   addressing   America,  who   points   to   Justice.      The   group   "  suggests 

that,  however  hope  may 
flatter,  all  prosperity 
should  be  founded  in 
public  right  and  the 
preservation  of  the 
Constitution." 

In  niches  at  the  main 
entrance  door  are  two 
massive  statues  of  pure 
Italian  marble  to  repre- 
sent War  and  Peace. 
They  are  the  work  of 

ALLEGORICAL   GROUP   ON   PORTICO   OF   THE   CAPITOL,  PcrSlCO,   and   COSt  ^6000 

DESIGNED  BY  JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS.  cach.     Ovcr  the  door  is 


STATUE  OF  FREEDOM  ON  CAPITOL  DOME. 


io6 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


MARBLE   GROUP,  "THE   DISCOVERY   OF   AMERICA,' 
ON    PORTICO   OF   THE   CAPITOL. 


a  basso-rilievo  of    Washington  being  crowned  with  a  laurel  wreath  by 
Fame  and  Peace.     It  was  cut  in  sandstone,  in  1827,  by  Capellano. 

The  portico,  which  is  160  feet  in  length,  has  broad  stone  steps  flanked 
by  large  buttresses.  On  one  buttress  is  a  marble  group  representing 
"  The  Discovery  of  America."  It  was  executed  by  Persico,  in  1846,  at  a 
cost  of  ;^24,ooo.  Columbus  is  represented  holding  aloft  a  small  globe 
inscribed  "  America,"  while  at  his  side  crouches  an  Indian  maiden.  The 
figure  of  the  great  navigator  is  encased  in  armor,  which  is  stated  to  be  a 
correct  copy  "  to  a  rivet"  of  the  armor  he  wore.  On  the  opposite  buttress 
IS  a  marble  group  executed  by  Horatio  Greenough,  and  which  represents 
"  Civilization,  or  the  first  settlement  of  America."  This  has  figures  of  a 
pioneer  and  Indian  engaged  in  deadly  conflict,  and  on  one  side  is  the 
pioneer's  wife  clasping  a  babe  to  her  breast,  while  she  watches  the  conflict 
with  anxious  interest.  Greenough  was  twelve  years  executing  this  group, 
and  its  cost  was  nearly  ;^25,ooo. 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


107 


MARBLE  GROUP,  "  CIVILIZATION,"    ON   PORTICO 
OF  THE  CAPITOL. 


The  door  of  the  main  entrance  to  the  Capitol  is  of  bronze,  and  on  it 
are  designs  in  high  reHef  illustrative  of  the  career  of  Columbus.  It  is 
one  of  the  finest  pieces  of  bronze  work  in  the  world,  and  was  modelled 
at  Rome,  in  1858,  by  Randolph  Rogers,  the  American  sculptor,  and  cast 
at  Munich,  in  i860.  With  the  casing  the  door  is  nineteen  feet  in  height 
and  nine  feet  in  width,  and  weighs  20,000  pounds.  Its  cost  was  ^28,000. 
The  casing  is  covered  with  emblematic  designs,  and  on  the  top  of  the 
arch  is  a  bust  of  Columbus.  There  are  eight  panels  on  the  door,  and 
also  a  transom  panel,  and  on  them  are  finely  represented  the  following 
scenes:  "The  examination  of  Columbus  before  the  Council  of  Sala- 
manca;" "Departure  of  Columbus  from  the  Convent  of  La  Rabida  for 
the  Spanish  court;"  "Columbus  before  the  court  of  Ferdinand  and  Isa- 
bella ;"  "  Departure  of  Columbus  from  Palos  on  his  first  voyage  of  dis- 
covery;" "Columbus  landing  at  San  Salvador;"  "-First  encounter  of 
Columbus  with  the  Indians;"  "Triumphal  entry  of  Columbus  into  Bar- 


I08  THE   NATIONAL,  CAPITAL. 

celona;"  "Columbus  in  chains;"  "  Death-bed  of  Columbus."  The  scenes 
begin  from  the  bottom  panel  on  the  left  side  of  the  door,  as  shown  in  the 
illustration,  and  go  up  to  the  transom  panel  and  then  down  the  right  side. 
Around  the  door  and  between  the  panels  are  statues  of  prominent  con- 
temporaries of  the  navigator  and  busts  of  the  historians  of  his  voyages. 

The  famous  Crawford  bronze  door  is  in  the  entrance  to  the  Senate 
extension.  It  was  modelled  by  Thomas  Crawford,  and  cast  at  Chicopee, 
Massachusetts.  It  is  fourteen  and  one-half  feet  high,  and  nine  and  one- 
half  feet  wide,  and  weighs  14,000  pounds.  It  cost  nearly  ^57,000,  and 
was  placed  in  position  in  1868.  On  its  eight  panels  are  scenes  in  high 
relief  illustrative  of  American  history,  beginning  with  the  "  Battle  of 
Bunker  Hill  and  Death  of  General  Warren,  June,  1775,"  and  following 
with  the  "  Battle  of  Monmouth,  June,  1778,  and  rebuke  of  General 
Charles  Lee,  the  traitor;"  the  "Battle  of  Yorktown,  1781  ;"  a  "Hessian 
soldier  in  death-struggle  with  an  American;"  an  allegory  of  the  "Bless- 
ings of  Peace;"  the  "Ovation  to  Washington  at  Trenton,  1789;"  the 
"  Inauguration  of  Washington  as  First  President  of  the  United  States ;" 
and  the  "  Laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  of  the  United  States." 
The  scenes  begin  at  the  top  of  the  right  side  of  the  door,  as  shown  in 
the  illustration,  and  go  downward  and  then  up  the  left  side.  The  frame 
is  ornamented  with  designs  of  the  acanthus,  grape,  maize,  and  cotton-boll. 

On  the  tympanum  of  the  portico  of  the  Senate  extension  there  is  a 
marble  group  sculptured  by  Thomas  Crawford,  which  represents  "  Amer- 
ican Civilization  and  the  Decadence  of  the  Indian  Races."  The  figures 
portray  America,  War,  Commerce,  Education,  the  Mechanical  Arts, 
Pioneers,  and  Indians.     The  cost  of  this  work  was  $50,000. 

The  porticoes  of  the  Senate  and  House  extensions  have  massive  mono- 
lithic columns  of  marble  with  beautiful  capitals,  and  similar  columns  are 
placed  on  the  north  and  south  projections  and  west  front.  On  the  grand 
central  portico  of  the  Capitol  the  Presidents  of  the  United  States  take  the 
oath  of  office  on  inauguration  day. 

The  great  dome  which  rises  from  the  centre  of  the  Capitol  is  of  grand, 
symmetrical  proportions,  and  has  no  equal  in  the  world  for  classical 
beauty.  It  was  constructed  under  the  direction  of  Charles  F.  Thomas 
after  designs  by  Thomas  U.  Walter,  and  cost  ;^i, 250,000.  Eight  years 
were  required  to  build  it,  and  so  carefully  and  thoroughly  was  the  work 
done  that  it  is  believed  it  will  never  need  to  be  repaired.  It  was  made  of 
the  strongest  cast  iron,  and  nearly  four  thousand  tons  were  used.  Over  a 
series  of  ribs  large  sheets  of  iron  were  securely  bolted,  and  all  the  mech- 
anism was  arranged  to  move  together  during  atmospheric  changes  "  like 
the  folding  and  unfolding  of  a  lily."     The  dome  is  thickly  covered  with 


THE  ROGERS  BRONZE  DOOR  IN  MAIN  ENTRANCE  OF  THE  CAPITOL. 


jjQ  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

white  paint  every  year,  to  prevent  it  from  rusting,  and,  as  the  builder 
says,  will  doubtless  stand  for  a  thousand  years  impervious  to  wind  and 

weather. 

At  the  base  there  is  a  peristyle  composed  of  thirty-six  iron  columns 
and  surmounted  by  a  wide  balustrade.  Above  the  peristyle  is  an  attic 
story,  and  above  this  begins  the  domical  covering.  From  the  top  of  the 
dome  rises  a  "  lantern"  fifty  feet  high  and  fifteen  feet  in  diameter.  It  is 
surrounded  by  a  peristyle,  and  contains  a  large  reflecting  lamp,  which  is 
lighted  whenever  Congress  has  a  night  session.  This  light  can  be  seen 
from  all  parts  of  the  city.  The  shell  of  the  dome  has  numerous  windows 
to  admit  light  to  the  rotunda.     Every  part  of  the  huge  sphere  is  of  iron. 

On  the  top  of  the  lantern  stands  a  bronze  statue  of  Freedom,  designed 
by  Thomas  Crawford,  and  cast  in  the  foundry  of  Clark  Mills,  at  Bladens- 
biirg,  Maryland.  The  statue  is  nineteen  and  one-half  feet  high,  weighs 
14,985  pounds,  and  cost  nearly  ^24,000.  It  rests  upon  a  globe  which  is 
inscribed  "^  Pluribus  Ununiy  The  figure  is  that  of  the  Goddess  of 
Liberty,  and  its  head  is  crowned  with  a  helmet  surrounded  by  a  circlet 
of  stars  and  topped  with  a  bunch  of  feathers.  When  the  design  was 
made,  in  1855,  it  was  submitted  to  Jefferson  Davis,  who  was  then  Secre- 
tary of  War.  Crawford  had  placed  a  "  liberty  cap"  on  the  figure,  but  Mr. 
Davis  objected  to  this  cap  on  the  ground  that  it  suggested  that  Americans 
had  been  slaves,  and  therefore  Crawford  removed  the  cap  and  substituted 
the  bunch  of  feathers.  The  statue  was  placed  on  its  lofty  pedestal  De- 
cember 2,  1863.  When  the  work  of  erecting  it  was  finished,  the  emblem 
of  liberty  was  saluted  with  thirty-four  guns  by  a  park  of  artillery  stationed 
on  the  eastern  grounds  of  the  Capitol,  and  to  this  salute  the  guns  of  all 
the  forts  around  Washington  responded. 

The  low  wooden  dome,  which  stood  where  the  great  iron  dome  is 
now,  was  removed  in  1856.  It  was  seventy-five  feet  high.  The  present 
dome  stands  218  feet  above  the  balustrade  on  the  top  of  the  Capitol. 
The  total  height  from  the  base-line  of  the  eastern  front  of  the  building  to 
the  crest  of  the  statue  of  Freedom  is  307 >^  feet.  The  diameter  of  the 
dome  is  135 >^  feet.  Persons  are  allowed  to  ascend  the  dome  to  the 
gallery  directly  under  the  lantern.  The  view  of  Washington  and  the  sur- 
rounding country  from  this  high  place  is  magnificent. 

The  celebrated  statue  of  Washington,  by  Horatio  Greenough,  occu- 
pies a  position  on  the  eastern  grounds  of  the  Capitol,  facing  the  grand  por- 
tico. Congress  ordered  the  work  in  1832,  with  the  intention  of  placing 
it  over  the  vaulted  tomb  of  Washington,  which  was  to  be  constructed 
in  the  crypt  of  the  Capitol,  with  an  opening  through  the  floor  of  the 
rotunda,  but  as  the  heirs  of  Washington  declined  to  allow  his  remains  to 


THE   CRAWFORD   BRONZE   DOOR    IN   SENATE   EXTENSION   OF  THE  CAPITOL. 


112 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


be  removed  from  Mount  Vernon,  the  tomb  was  not  constructed.  The 
statue  was  received  from  Italy  in  1840,  and  for  a  time  was  placed  in  the 
rotunda.  It  is  a  colossal  sitting  figure  of  Carrara  marble,  on  a  granite 
pedestal,  and  cost  ;^45,ooo.  The  figure,  which  is  partially  nude,  is  seated 
in  a  chair  of  Roman  design,  on  which  are  small  statues  of  Columbus  and 
an  Indian  chief,  and  also  lions'  heads  and  acanthus  leaves.  Representa- 
tions of  Hercules  strangling  the  serpent  and  Apollo  driving  the  chariot  of 
the  sun  around  the  world  are  on  the  sides  of  the  chair,  and  on  the  back  is 
the  Latin  inscription,  "  Siniulacriim  istiid  ad  niagnuni  Libertatus  c.xcinplitm, 
nee  sine  ipsa  diiratnnim,"  which  can  be  freely  translated,  "  This  statue  is 
for  a  great  example  of  liberty,  nor  without  liberty  will  the  example 
endure."  Washington  is  represented  with  his  right  hand  pointing  toward 
heaven  and  with  his  left  holding  a  sheathed  sword.  The  pedestal  is  in- 
scribed, "  First  in  war,  first  in  peace,  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen." 
On  the  western  grounds  of  the  Capitol,  near  the  steps  which  lead  to 
the  upper  terrace,  is  a  large  bronze  statue  of  John  Marshall,  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  from  1801  to  1835.     It  is  the 


GREENOUGH'S   statue   of  WASHINGTON   IN    EASTERN 
PARK   OF  THE   CAPITOL. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


113 


STATUE   OF  CHIEF  JUSTICE   MARSHALL   IN   WESTERN    PARK 
OF  THE  CAPITOL. 

work  of  William  W.  Story,  was  executed  at  Rome,  and  unveiled  May  10, 
1884.  The  Chief  Justice  is  represented  as  seated  in  the  chair  he  used  in 
the  court-room.  He  wears  his  official  robe,  and  extends  one  hand  as  if 
delivering  a  judicial  opinion.  The  figure  rests  on  a  pedestal  of  drab 
Italian  marble,  which  bears  on  its  front  the  inscription,  "  John  Marshall, 
Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States.  Erected  by  the  Bar  and  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States,  a.d.  1884."  On  the  rear  of  the  pedestal  is  a  wreath 
of  oak  and  laurel,  and  on  the  sides  are  two  panels  containing  large  basso- 
rilievo  entitled  "  Minerva  dictating  the  constitution  to  Young  America," 
and  "  Victory  leading  Young  America  to  swear  fidelity  on  the  altar  of  the 
Union."     There  are  eight  figures  in  each  panel,  two  feet  in  height.     The 

8 


jj.  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

statue  and  pedestal  cost  ;^40,000.     The  features  of  the  Chief  Justice  are 
clearly  portrayed,  and  the  likeness  is  pronounced  very  accurate. 

Soon  after  the  death  of  Marshall,  in  1835,  an  association  was  organized 
in  Philadelphia  to  raise  a  fund  to  erect  a  statue  to  his  memory.  Contri- 
butions were  received  from  lawyers  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  but 
as  only  about  ;^4000  were  obtained,  the  fund  was  invested  in  the  city  bonds 
of  Philadelphia,  and  as  the  interest  accrued  it  was  reinvested.  In  1882 
the  fund  had  increased  by  careful  management  to  $20,000,  and  the  trustees 
appeared  before  Congress  with  the  proposition  that  they  would  convey 
the  sum  to  the  United  States  if  Congress  would  appropriate  a  similar 
amount  and  order  tlie  statue  to  be  constructed,  it  having  been  estimated 
that  it  would  cost  $40,000.  The  proposition  was  accepted,  and  the  con- 
tract for  the  statue  was  given  to  Mr,  Story,  who  has  produced  a  satisfac- 
tory work. 

The  grounds  around  the  Capitol  have  been  laid  out  in  a  very  attractive 
manner  during  the  past  ten  years,  and  now  form  an  admirable  setting  to 
the  magnificent  building.  Large  numbers  of  fine  trees,  shrubs,  and  flower- 
ing plants  are  growing  in  various  parts  of  the  grounds,  and  there  are 
lawns,  fountains,  well-paved  walks  and  drives.  The  entire  park  of  forty- 
six  acres  is  enclosed  by  a  low  granite  wall  with  ornamental  entrances. 

Adjacent  to  the  western  grounds  of  the  Capitol  is  located  the  National 
Botanical  Garden  of  ten  acres.  It  was  established  about  fifty  years  ago, 
but  its  greatest  development  has  been  within  the  past  fifteen  years.  It 
contains  a  great  conservatory  filled  with  the  choicest  foreign  plants,  and 
also  a  number  of  small  conservatories.  Around  the  garden  areextensive 
collections  of  trees  and  shrubs,  which  are  cultivated  in  a  scientific  manner. 
Here  are  grown  a  large  portion  of  the  plants  set  out  each  spring  in  the 
parks,  squares,  and  circles  of  the  city.  The  garden  is  under  the  control 
of  Congress,  and  the  members  of  both  houses  obtain  from  it  each  session 
at  least  two  thousand  bouquets,  besides  many  "botanical  specimens" 
which  they  take  to  their  homes  all  over  the  United  States. 

On  Pennsylvania  avenue,  near  the  main  entrance  to  the  western 
grounds  of  the  Capitol,  stands  the  Naval  Monument,  which  is  inscribed, 
"  In  memory  of  the  officers,  seamen,  and  marines  of  the  United  States 
Navy  who  fell  in  defence  of  the  Union  and  liberty  of  their  country,  1861- 
1865."  It  was  designed  by  Admiral  David  D.  Porter,  and  executed  by 
Franklin  Simmons  at  Rome.  It  is  of  pure  Carrara  marble,  and  encircling 
its  base  is  an  elaborate  granite  foundation  designed  by  Edward  Clark,  the 
present  architect  of  the  Capitol.  Two  figures,  America  and  History,  stand 
on  the  top  of  the  monument.  America  is  sorrowfully  narrating  the  loss 
of  her  defenders,  while  History  records  on  her  tablet,  "  They  died  that 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


115 


their  country  might  live."  Below  these  figures,  on  the  front  of  the  monu- 
ment, is  a  figure  of  Victory  holding  aloft  a  laurel  wreath,  and  on  the  back 
is  a  figure  of  Peace  offering  the  olive  branch.  The  monument  is  forty- 
four  feet  in  height,  and  the  figures  on  it  are  six  feet.  It  was  erected  in 
1877  from  contributions  received  from  members  of  the  navy,  and  the 
granite  foundation  was  furnished  by  Congress.  The  cost  was  ^21,000 
for  the  monument  and  $20,000  for  the  foundation. 


THE   NAVAL   MONUMENT. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

PRINCIPAL  STORY  OF  THE  CAPITOL— THE  ROTUNDA  AND  ITS  CANOPY— HISTORICAL 
PAINTINGS— STATUARY  HALL— THE  STATUES  CONTRIBUTED  BY  VARIOUS  STATES 
-NOTABLE  WORKS  OF  ART— THE  BASEMENT  OF  THE  CAPITOL— UNDER-GROUND 
CHAMBERS  AND  CRYPTS— THE  AMOUNT  EXPENDED  ON  THE  NATION'S  BUILDING. 

HE  principal  story  of  the  Capitol  contains  the  great  Rotunda, 
the  National  Statuary  Hall,  formerly  used  by  the  House  of 
Representatives,  the  Library  of  Congress,  the  Supreme  Court- 
Room,  formerly  used  by  the  Senate,  and  the  halls  of  the  Houses 
of  Congress.  It  has  also  numerous  rooms  for  the  officials  of  the  Capitol 
and  of  Congress.  The  Rotunda  is  in  the  centre  of  the  old  or  original 
Capitol.  It  is  ninety-five  feet  six  inches  in  diameter,  three  hundred  feet 
in  circumference,  and  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet  in  height.  It  has  a 
sandstone  floor,  which  is  supported  by  ponderous  brick  arches,  which  rest 
on  columns  arranged  in  peristyles.  Above  the  walls  of  the  Capitol  the 
Rotunda  is  entirely  of  iron,  as  it  is  the  interior  of  the  great  dome.  Light 
is  admitted  to  it  by  the  thirty-six  windows  of  the  peristyle  of  the  dome. 
At  its  extreme  height  is  an  opening  called  "  the  eye,"  and  suspended  over 
this  is  a  'gigantic  canopy,  on  which  is  an  allegorical  painting  by  Constan- 
tino Brumidi,  entitled  "  The  Apotheosis  of  Washington."  The  canopy 
is  a  circular  sheet  of  iron  covered  with  stucco,  and  is  sixty-five  feet  in 
diameter  and  two  hundred  and  five  feet  in  circumference.  It  covers  an 
area  of  4664  feet.  Brumidi's  painting  is  a  very  elaborate  work,  executed 
with  great  skill,  and  even  from  the  floor  of  the  Rotunda  has  a  fine,  artistic 
effect.  The  central  figure  is  Washington,  with  Freedom  and  Victory  at 
his  right  and  left,  and  around  them  are  female  figures  to  represent  the 
original  states  of  the  Union.  The  border  of  the  canopy  contains  six 
groups  of  emblematic  figures,  representing  the  Fall  of  Tyranny,  Agricul- 
ture, Mechanics,  Commerce,  the  Marine,  and  the  Arts  and  Sciences.  The 
painting  is  glowing  with  color,  and  every  portion  of  it  is  finished  in  a  very 
careful  manner.  All  the  figures  are  large  and  admirably  delineated. 
Brumidi  gave  several  years  to  this  work,  which  was  an  exceedingly  ardu- 

117 


ii8 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


ous  one  on  account  of  the  peculiar  position  of  the  canopy.  The  painting 
cost  nearly  ;g50.ooo. 

Above  the  architrave  of  the  Rotunda,  on  the  frieze  ten  feet  wide  which 
encircles  the  walls,  are  frescos  of  the  important  events  in  the  history  of 
America.  They  are  executed  in  chiaro-osciiro  (light  and  shade),  and  were 
begun  by  Brumidi  in  1878.  After  his  death,  in  1880,  the  work  was  under- 
taken by  Castigini,  his  pupil,  who  has  since  carried  it  on.  The  series  will 
not  probably  be  completed  for  several  years. 

On  the  walls  of  the  Rotunda  are  arabesque  designs  and  panels  with 
medallions  of  Columbus,  Raleigh,  Cabot,  and  La  Salle,  which  were  exe- 
cuted in  1827,  by  Caucici  and  Capellano,  Italian  sculptors,  who  were  pupils 
of  Canova.  In  oblong  panels  over  the  entrance  doors  are  alto-rilievi  of 
the  "  Landing  of  the  Pilgrims,"  "  Pocahontas  saving  the  life  of  Captain 
John  Smith,"  "  William  Penn  holding  a  conference  with  the  Indians,"  and 
"  Daniel  Boone  in  conflict  with  the  Indians."  These  are  also  the  work  of 
Caucici  and  Capellano. 

The  Rotunda  contains  eight  mammoth  paintings  set  in  panels  round 
the  walls.  Four  of  them  represent  scenes  of  the  discovery  and  settlement 
of  America,  and  the  others  are  devoted  to  the  Revolutionary  period.  They 
are  all  by  American  artists  and  were  painted  many  years  ago. 

The  first  of  the  early  historical  paintings  represents  the  "  Landing  of 
Columbus  at  San  Salvador,"  and  is  by  John  Vandeilyn,  who  received 
$10,000  for  it.  Columbus  is  represented  in  the  act  of  proclaiming  posses- 
sion in  the  name  of  Spain  of  the  land  he  had  discovered,  October  14,  1492. 

The  second  painting  represents  "  The  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi  by 
De  Soto,  May,  1541."  It  is  by  William  H.  Powell,  and  cost  ;$  12,000. 
The  central  figure  is  De  Soto  mounted  on  a  spirited  horse.  The  painting 
is  not  considered  historically  correct. 

The  third  painting  represents  "The  Baptism  of  Pocahontas,  1613," 
and  is  by  John  G.  Chapman.  He  received  ^10,000  for  the  work.  The 
Indian  princess,  her  husband,  John  Rolfe,  John  and  Ann  Laydon,  Sir 
Thomas  Dale,  Alexander  Whitaker,  several  Indian  chiefs,  and  prominent 
people  of  the  Virginia  colony  are  represented. 

The  fourth  painting  represents  "The  Embarkation  of  the  Pilgrims 
from  Delft  Haven,  Holland,  July  21,  1620."  It  is  by  Robert  W.  Weir, 
and  cost  ^10,000.  It  represents  the  prayer  on  board  of  the  little  ship 
just  before  it  sailed  for  America  with  the  band  of  pilgrims  who  were 
seeking  a  land  of  religious  liberty. 

The  other  paintings  are  known  as  the  Trumbull  series,  and  represent 
events  connected  with  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  artist  was  John 
Trumbull,  who  was  born  in  1756  and  died  in   1843.     He  was  a  son  of 


ye>* 


THE   ROTUNDA   OF   THE  CAPITOL. 


J20  THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

Jonathan  Trumbull,  governor  of  Connecticut  during  the  Revolution,  and 
for  a  year  or  so  was  an  officer  on  Washington's  staff!  He  spent  five 
years  in  Europe  in  the  study  of  art,  and  for  more  than  twenty  years  was 
engaged  in  gathering  the  material  and  preparing  himself  to  paint  the 
scenes  of  the  struggle  for  American  independence.  It  is  stated  that  "  the 
Trumbull  series  of  pictures  are  especially  valuable,  because  each  of  the 
many  faces  painted  in  them  are  actual  likenesses,  for  which  many  of 
the  subjects  sat  to  the  artist,  and  when  this  was  not  the  case,  copies  of 
portraits  at  the  time  in  the  possession  of  the  respective  families  were 
introduced."  Congress  gave  the  order  for  the  paintings  in  1817,  and  in 
1824  they  were  completed,  and  the  artist  received  ^32,000  for  them. 

The  first  of  the  series  is  entitled  "  Signing  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  1276."  The  hall  of  the  Continental  Congress  is  exactly 
reproduced,  and  the  members  of  the  Congress  are  painted  in  an  accurate 
manner,  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Congress,  is  represented  seated 
at  a  table  on  which  is  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  in  front  of 
the  table  are  Thomas  Jefferson,  John  Adams,  Benjamin  Franklin,  Roger 
Sherman,  and  Robert  L.  Livingston,  the  committee  who  had  charge  of 
the  document.  Trumbull  obtained  the  information  as  to  the  disposition 
of  the  persons  represented  in  the  painting  from  Jefferson,  Adams,  and 
others  who  were  present  when  the  Declaration  was  signed. 

The  second  Trumbull  painting  is  entitled  "  Surrender  of  General 
Burgoyne,  Saratoga,  October  17,  1777."  The  artist  was  present  at  the 
surrender,  and  made  a  sketch  of  it  at  the  time.  The  painting  is  thus 
described :  "  General  Burgoyne,  attended  by  General  Phillips  and  fol- 
lowed by  other  officers,  has  arrived  near  the  marque  of  General  Gates. 
General  Gates  has  advanced  a  few  steps  to  meet  his  prisoner,  who,  with 
General  Phillips,  has  dismounted,  and  is  in  the  act  of  offering  his  sword, 
which  General  Gates  declines  to  receive,  and  invites  tliem  to  ^  md 

partake   of   refreshments.      A   number   of   the    principal   otificerr  the 

American  army  are  assembled  near  their  General." 

The  third  painting  is  entitled  "  Surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis  at  York- 
town,  October  19,  1781."  Lord  Cornwallis  and  the  officers  of  the  defeated 
British  army,  conducted  by  General  Lincoln,  are  represented  as  enterin. 
the  lines  of  the  American  and  French  troops.  A  writer  says,  "When 
General  Lincoln  had  surrendered  to  the  British  at  Charleston  some  time 
before,  Lord  Cornwallis  refused  to  permit  the  Americans  to  march  out 
with  flying  colors,  as  was  usual.  When  Cornwallis  surrendered.  General 
Washington  appointed  General  Lincoln  to  oversee  the  manner  in  which 
the  British  should  submit,  which  was  with  arms  shouldered  and  colors 
lowered." 


CANOPY    OF   THE    ROTUNDA. 


122 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


NATIONAL   STATUARY    HALL,   SHOWING 
THE    HISTORICAL   CLOCK. 


The  fourth  painting  is 
entitled  "Resignation  of 
General  Washington  at  Annapolis, 
December  23,  1783."  After  bidding 
farewell  in  New  York  to  his  compan- 
ions in  arms,  Washington,  attended 
by  only  two  of  his  aides,  journeyed 
to  Annapolis,  where  Congress  was 
sitting  in  the  old  State  House,  and 
resigned  his  commission  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Continental  Army. 
Martha  Washington  met  her  husband  at  Annapolis,  and  after  the  resig- 
nation accompanied  him  to  Mount  Vernon.  Trumbull  has  painted  her  in 
the  gallery  of  the  State  House  prominent  among  the  spectators  of  the 
resignation. 

The  hall  formerly  occupied  by  the  House  of  Representatives  is  now 
known  as  the  National  Statuary  Hall.  It  was  designed  by  Latrobe  in 
1803,  and  when  he  reconstructed  the  Capitol  after  the  British  invaders  had 
burned  it,  in  18 14,  he  improved  and  extended  the  original  design,  adding 
marble  columns  and  various  works  of  art.  The  hall  is  fashioned  some- 
what after  the  ancient  theatre  at  Athens,  and  is  considered  an  almost 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  1 23 

perfect  example  of  classic  symmetry.  It  is  semicircular  in  form,  ninety- 
five  feet  in  length,  and  to  the  top  of  the  domed  ceiling  fifty-seven  feet  in 
height.  The  ceiling  is  beautifully  painted.  On  one  side  of  the  hall  is  a 
high,  wide  arch  supported  by  marble  pillars,  and  on  the  other  side  a 
colonnade  of  twenty-six  tall  columns  of  variegated  marble,  with  capitals 
of  pure  white  marble,  sculptured  in  Italy.  The  floor  is  of  marble  with 
mosaic  tiling.  On  the  arch  is  a  plaster  statue  of  Liberty,  and  also  a  large 
sandstone  eagle  with  outspread  wings.  The  old  marble  clock  used  by  the 
Representatives  is  standing  over  the  entrance  door  from  the  Rotunda.  It 
was  executed  by  Charles  Franzoni,  in  18 19,  and  is  a  notable  work  of  art. 
The  Genius  of  History  is  represented  as  recording  on  a  tablet  the  events 
of  the  nation.  She  stands  gracefully  on  a  winged  car,  which  is  rolling  over 
the  p-lobe.     The  wheel  of  the  car  is  the  face  of  the  clock. 

The  House  of  Representatives  used  this  hall  from  1808  until  18 14, 
and  then  from  1817  until  December  16,  1857;  and  during  that  period  of 
nearly  fifty  years  many  legislative  matters  of  great  national  importance 
were  discussed  and  acted  upon.  Here  the  "  giants  in  those  days" — Clay, 
Webster,  the  younger  Adams,  Calhoun,  Randolph,  Cass,  Burges,  Wise, 
Forsyth,  Corwin,  Wright,  and  many  others — won  reputation  for  states- 
manship, and  made  the  walls  ring  with  their  fiery  eloquence.  Here  were 
many  fierce  and  bitter  wrangles  over  vexed  questions, — turbulent  scenes, 
displays  of  sectional  feeling ;  and  here  also  was  much  legislative  action 
which  has  gone  into  history  as  wise  and  beneficial.  Where  the  Congress- 
men of  the  age  that  is  gone  attended  to  the  business  of  the  nation  often- 
times with  a  torrent  of  words,  now  stand  mute  "chosen  sons"  of  the  states 
in  dignified  effigies  of  marble  and  bronze.  Seven  years  after  the  House 
of  Representatives  had  removed  to  its  new  hall  in  the  south  extension 
of  the  Capitol,  the  old  hall  was  devoted  to  its  present  use.  Congress 
authorized  the  President,  in  1864,  to  invite  each  state  "to  send  the 
effigies  of  two  of  her  chosen  sons,  in  marble  or  in  bronze,  to  be  placed 
permanently  here." 

Comparatively  few  of  the  states  have  as  yet  responded  to  the  invitation, 
but  it  is  believed  they  will  all  be  represented  in  this  grand  hall  of  statues 
before  many  years.  Rhode  Island  was  the  first  state  to  send  statues,  and 
Connecticut  and  New  York  followed.  The  collection  at  present  is  as 
follows  :  Rhode  Island,  statues  of  Roger  Williams  and  General  Nathaniel 
Greene  ;  Connecticut,  statues  of  Governor  Jonathan  Trumbull  and  Roger 
Sherman  ;  New  York,  statues  of  Vice-President  George  Clinton  and 
Chancellor  Robert  R.  Livingston ;  Massachusetts,  statues  of  Governor  John 
Winthrop  and  Samuel  Adams;  Vermont,  statues  of  Colonel  Ethan  Allen 
and  Jacob  Collamer;  Maine,  statue  of  Governor  William  King;  Pennsyl- 


124 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


vania,  statues  of  Robert  Fulton  and  William  Muhlenberg.  Eleven  of 
the  statues  are  of  marble  and  two  are  of  bronze.  They  are  all  excellent 
in  design  and  execution. 

The  hall  also  contains  a  number  of  statues,  busts,  and  portraits,  fur- 
nished by  the  government.  In  the  collection  is  a  plaster  copy  of  Hou- 
don's  statue  of  Washington,  and  the  marble  statue  of  Lincoln,  sculptured 
by  Vinnie  Ream  Hoxie  in  1870,  and  for  which  she  received  ;^  15,000. 
There  is  also  Horatio  Stone's  marble  statue  of  Hamilton,  which  cost 
;^  10,000;  and  a  bronze  statue  of  Jefferson. by  D'Angers,  which  formerly 
stood  on  the  lawn  in  front  of  the  White  House.  There  are  busts  of  Lin- 
coln, Kosciusko,  and  Thomas  Crawford  ;  and  portraits  of  Washington, 
Jefferson,  Lincoln,  Charles  Carroll  of  CarroUton,  Gunning  Bedford,  Ben- 
jamin West,  and  Joshua  R.  Giddings. 

In  the  basement  story  of  the  Capitol  are  the  post-offices  of  Congress, 
the  document  and  folding  rooms,  and  numerous  committee  rooms.  A 
great  quantity  of  mail  matter  is  handled  daily  in  the  post-offices  during  a 
session  of  Congress,  and  a  number  of  clerks  and  carriers  are  employed. 
In  the  document  and  folding  rooms  the  books  and  pamphlets  printed  by 
the  government  are  stored  until  they  are  distributed  by  Congressmen  to 

their  constituents.  The  government 
publishes  every  year  about  three  hun- 
dred different  books,  some  of  them 
very  large  and  costly,  and  each  Con- 
gressman is  entitled  to  a  certain  num- 
ber. The  books  are  reports  of  the 
various  departments,  special  reports 
ordered  by  Congress,  Acts  of  Congress, 
Public  Statutes,  etc.  Over  300,000 
copies  of  the  bulky  report  of  the  De- 
partment of  Agriculture  are  annually 
distributed.  To  illustrate  this  work 
usually  costs  about  ^30,000,  and  some 
of  the  other  reports  are  illustrated  at 
a  large  expense.  Dozens  of  men  are 
employed  in  the  document  and  folding 
rooms  in  packing  books  to  be  sent 
over  the  country,  and  enough  printed 
matter  to  fill  three  hundred  mail-cars 
is  forwarded  every  year.  All  the  books 
and  pamphlets  are  printed  and  bound 


STATUE  OF  FULTON  IN  STATUARY  HALL. 


at  the  Government  Printing-Office. 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


125 


i  The  Ucneiaj  .■\f\cmlt)y  ol-tha  c<jDmWi»oviyi;i h 

j  of  ^Trgmia  liavr  caUbpU  this  St-itMtf  tti>w»?n'r-.- 

i«  a  monumnil   cf  djrettujn  I'f^tfj.jjitiitlr 

GKOnGE  %VASmNt.Jt>X.  .-.•/; 

.vho  iinitins  t«  (lie  cndovvo^nl  vr  Uia /^/ 

lb'  virtues  cf  th"  Fat^'cc,  arJ4^irs(?ft. 

r>  cwuibusliing  the  JjiDCrtirt-'-tf^lTii 

Hoi  renderedlilsnaTne  dcartohisV'-WowCj 

ajid  gl^Tn  tVip  world   ar\  rnttowtal i^amiTm*. 
^   of  true  GVory;  Dffliff  in  ib«  vear  «I   1 -V/ 

' ■'—_'!:     cj/iii.^i'^''-^- -'■■''' /j/^ 

i  Ope  thousand  spvon  huiidred  ihd  <n^\^\' <:\^a/X 
J]  ajidin  the)'ear  of  the  C0Tnniomvp3j^t}wt\v<pfU[  ' 


HOUDON'S  statue  of  WASHINGTON   IN  STATUARY  HALL. 


In  the  sub-basement  is  located  the  apparatus  by  which  the  halls  of 
Congress  and  all  parts  of  the  Capitol  are  heated  and  ventilated.  The 
apparatus  consists  of  four  engines  and  eight  boilers,  and  three  enormous 
revolving  fans,  which  draw  the  air  from  the  outside  of  the  building  into 
the  ducts  which  convey  it  to  the  halls  and  rooms.  The  air  is  heated  after 
it  comes  from  the  outside.  There  is  a  very  ingenious  appliance  for  ascer- 
taining whether  the  air  in  the  halls  of  Congress  is  too  dry  or  too  moist, 
and  it  is  regulated  by  a  single  human  hair  six  inches  long.  Perfectly  dry 
air  is  marked  at  o;  air  with  all  the  moisture  it  will  hold  is  marked  at  lOO. 
A  dial  with  a  pointer  indicates  the  different  degrees  from  o  to  lOO.  The 
hair  rapidly  absorbs  the  moisture  in  the  air  and  becomes  shorter  when  wet, 
and  the  difference  in  its  length  when  dry  and  when  wet  is  indicated  on  the 
dial  by  the  pointer,  which  moves  back  and  forth  as  the  moisture  of  the 
hair  varies.  If  the  air  is  too  dry,  more  steam  is  turned  on  ;  if  too  moist, 
less  steam  is  used ;  and  thus  by  means  of  the  hair  the  atmosphere  for  the 
nation's  legislators  is  kept  at  a  healthful  point. 

Below  the  basement  are  many  dark,  gloomy  chambers  and  corridors 


J 26  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

filled  with  old  models,  plaster  casts  of  statues,  and  refuse  of  all  sorts. 
The  subterranean  story  is  a  perfect  labyrinth  of  crooks  and  crannies,  cells 
and  mysterious  recesses,  which  are  dimly  lighted  by  a  few  gas-jets  placed 
at  long  intervals.  In  these  dismal  vaults  and  passages  one  could  easily 
be  lost  and  wander  for  days  without  finding  the  way  out.  The  young 
wife  of  a  Congressman  was  lost  here  some  years  ago.  Curiosity  had  led 
her  to  explore  the  vaults  alone,  and  becoming  bewildered  by  the  dark, 
winding  passages,  she  was  unable  to  retrace  her  steps,  and  was  compelled 
to  remain  in  the  silent  and  desolate  region  all  night.  The  night  was  one 
of  horror  to  her,  and  when  she  was  discovered  by  her  husband  the  next 
morning  it  was  found  that  her  brown  hair  had  changed  to  snowy  white, 
and  that  her  reason  had  fled.  She  recovered  her  reason,  but  for  many 
years  suffered  from  excessive  fear  and  nervousness. 

The  attic  story  of  the  Capitol  is  mainly  devoted  to  the  committee 
rooms  of  Congress.  These  rooms  are  handsomely  painted  and  furnished 
and  have  considerable  ornamentation.  In  the  attic  are  stored  great  quan- 
tities of  government  records.  Here  are  all  the  records  of  the  early  Con- 
gresses, and  many  other  ancient  documents  of  historical  value. 

The  Capitol  is  open  every  week-day  to  visitors,  and  all  parts  of  it  can 
be  freely  inspected.  It  is  in  charge  of  the  official  known  as  the  Architect 
of  the  Capitol,  and  has  a  large  force  of  policemen,  engineers,  firemen,  and 
laborers.  Many  thousands  of  dollars  are  expended  annually  in  caring 
for  the  huge  structure. 

How  much  has  the  Capitol  cost?  is  often  asked.  This  is  a  very  diffi- 
cult question  to  answer.  Upon  the  work  of  construction  it  is  known  there 
had  been  expended  up  to  June  30,  1883,  the  sum  of  ;$ 1 5.599.656 ;  but 
what  the  expenditure  has  been  for  statues,  paintings,  frescos,  improving 
and  adorning  the  grounds,  etc.,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  ascertain.  The 
expenditure  outside  of  the  construction  must  have  been  several  millions; 
and  it  is  even  declared  that  at  least  thirty  millions  in  all  have  been  ex- 
pended on  the  nation's  building  during  the  nearly  one  hundred  years  that 
have  passed  since  the  laying  of  its  corner-stone. 


OJ    M    M    O  ^  1-" 


B    B     □    B     0     0     Q     B 


1 

I  "^'  i 

CHAPTER    X. 

THE  LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS-HISTORY  OF  THE  GREAT  NATIONAL  COLLECTION  OF 
BOOKS— THE  PURCHASE  OF  JEFFERSON'S  LIBRARY— THE  LIBRARIANS  OF  CON- 
GRESS-THE  LIBRARY  HALLS-BOOKS  READ  BY  THE  MEMBERS  OF  CONGRESS— 
THE  COPYRIGHT   LAWS    OF  THE   UNITED   STATES. 

N  the  central  projection  of  the  western  front  of  the  Capitol  is 
the  great  Library  of  Congress,  which  contains  545,000  books 
and  185,000  pamphlets,  and  which  ranks  as  fifth  among  the 
prominent  libraries  of  the  world.  It  was  originally  estab- 
lished as  a  library  of  reference  for  Congress  and  the  high  officials  of  the 
government,  but  as  it  grew  large  and  valuable  its  scope  was  extended, 
and  now  it  can  be  properly  called  the  National  Public  Library,  as  every 
one  is  allowed  to  freely  use  its  rare  and  extensive  collections,  and  daily 
its  rooms  are  filled  with  men  and  women  from  all  parts  of  the  country 
consulting  the  books  which  they  can  find  nowhere  else.  There  is  no 
other  library  in  the  United  States  one-half  as  large  and  complete  as  this 
one,  and  in  some  of  its  departments  it  is  fully  the  equal  of  any  of  the 
great  libraries  of  Europe.  Its  historical  collections  have  a  wide,  ample 
range,  and  are  particularly  comprehensive  in  everything  which  pertains  to 
America,  and  in  general  literature  its  collections  are  remarkably  full  and 
serviceable. 

Congress  founded  the  library  in  1802,  with  some  3000  books  care- 
fully selected  in  London,  and  John  Beckley,  of  Virginia,  then  clerk  of 
the  House  of  Representatives,  was  the  first  librarian.  One  of  its  earliest 
friends  and  supporters  was  John  Randolph,  and  the  eccentric  statesman 
always  took  special  pains  to  secure  liberal  appropriations  for  it,  and  had 
a  eood  deal  to  do  with  the  selection  of  its  books.  When  the  British 
soldiers  invaded  the  Capitol  in  18 14  they  used  the  books  and  papers  of 
the  library  to  kindle  the  fire  which  destroyed  the  building.  The  library 
was  stripped  of  everything  it  contained,  and  a  large  quantity  of  govern- 
ment records  stored  in  it  were  burned.  Thomas  Jefferson  had  a  fine 
library  at  his  mountain  home  in  Virginia,  which  he  had  collected  during 
his  long  residence  in  Europe,  and,  as  he  was  at  that  time  in  financial 
128 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


129 


LIBRARY   OF   CONGRESS. 


difficulty,he  offered 
to  sell  his  books  to 
the  government  as 
a  nucleus  for  a  new 
Library  of  Con- 
gress. He  made 
the  proposition  in 
September,  18 14, 
and  after  consider- 
able discussion  of 
the  matter  the 
library  was  purchased  by  Congress  for  ^23,950.  There  were  6000  vol- 
umes, including  some  rare  works  of  history  and  philosophy,  and  also 
"  many  Bibles  and  religious  works."  When  the  library  left  Monticello 
for  Washington  it  is  said  that  Jefferson  shed  tears.  He  had  greatly 
enjoyed  the  companionship  of  these  books,  and  nothing  but  the  poverty 
of  his  old  age  would  have  induced  him  to  part  with  them. 

In  1824  the  present  main  hall  of  the  Library  of  Congress  was  finished 
and  occupied.  It  was  constructed  by  Charles  Bulfinch  after  designs  by 
Latrobe,  and  for  the  first  time  the  library  was  suitably  housed.  Previous 
to  the  completion  of  the  hall,  the  library  had  occupied  the  room  now  the 
office  of  the  clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  George 
Watterson,  of  Washington,  was  the  librarian,  and  he  held  the  position 
fourteen  years.     The  library  developed  rapidly  in  its  new  quarters,  and  in 

9 


,  ,Q  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

185  I  it  had  nearly  60,000  books.  Its  pleasant  hall,  with  windows  over- 
looking the  city,  became  a  favorite  resort,  and  was  daily  filled  with  ladies 
and  gentlemen  of  the  highest  society  discussing  literary  matters  and  social 
events.  On  December  24,  185  i,  a  fire,  caused  by  a  defective  flue,  swept 
through  the  library  hall  and  destroyed  over  30,000  books,  and  also  some 
valuable  paintings.  The  hall  was  reconstructed  in  1852  by  Thomas  U. 
Walter,  and  two  other  halls  added,  nearly  ;^300,000  being  expended  to 
make  the  accommodations  for  the  library  ample,  convenient,  and  elegant. 
Congress  made  liberal  appropriations  from  year  to  year,  and  the  three 
o-reat  halls  were  soon  well  stocked  with  books.  In  1866  the  scientific 
works  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  amounting  to  40,000  volumes,  were 
deposited  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  which  has  since  continued  to  be  the 
depository  of  all  the  publications  received  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution 
from  learned  societies  throughout  the  world.  In  1867  Congress  purchased 
for  ;^  100,000  the  collection  of  rare  historical  books  and  pamphlets,  files  of 
newspapers,  maps,  engravings,  etc.,  accumulated  by  Peter  Force,  of  Wash- 
ington, during  thirty  years  of  antiquarian  research.  The  Force  collection 
now  forms  a  very  valuable  department  of  the  Library  of  Congress.  From 
1829  to  1 86 1  the  librarian  was  John  S.  Meehan,  of  New  York,  and  from 
1861  to  1864,  John  G.  Stephenson,  of  Indiana.  In  1864,  President  Lincoln 
appointed  as  librarian  Ainsworth  R.  Spofford,  of  Ohio,  and  he  has  con- 
tinued in  the  position  to  the  present  time.  In  1876  the  library  contained 
293,000  volumes,  and  in  1879  more  than  352,000.  Since  then  the  yearly 
increase  has  been  large,  and  the  library  halls  are  now  so  crowded  that  a 
number  of  rooms  in  the  basement  of  the  Capitol  have  to  be  used  to  store 
the  books.  It  is  likely  that  within  a  short  time  a  magnificent  new  build- 
ing, with  shelf-room  for  a  million  and  a  half  volumes,  will  be  erected,  at  a 
cost  of  ^3,000,000,  expressly  for  the  use  of  this  inestimable  library. 

The  law  library  of  the  government  is  a  part  of  the  Library  of  Congress. 
It  contains  60,000  volumes,  and  is  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  United 
States.  Since  1859  it  has  occupied  the  old  chamber  of  the  Supreme 
Court  in  the  basement  of  the  Capitol. 

The  halls  of  the  Library  of  Congress  are  constructed  of  iron  and 
glass,  and  are  prettily  ornamented  in  gold  and  delicate  colors.  The  main 
hall  is  ninety-one  feet  long,  thirty-four  feet  wide,  and  thirty-eight  feet 
high ;  and  the  two  other  halls  are  of  nearly  the  same  size.  The  library 
is  in  charge  of  an  official  with  the  title  of  "  Librarian  of  Congress."  He 
is  an  officer  of  Congress,  and  has  charge  of  the  copyright  business  of  the 
government.  His  salary  is  ^4000  per  year,  and  he  has  two  assistants  with 
salaries  of  $2500,  two  assistants  with  salaries  of  ;^i8oo,  and  nineteen 
assistants  and  employes  with  salaries  ranging  from  ^1400  to  ^480.     The 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


131 


entire  salary  list  is  $38,320.  The  library  is  open  daily  from  9  a.m.  to  4  p.m. 
Members  of  Congress  and  certain  officials  of  the  government  have  the 
rif^ht  to  take  books  out  of  the  library,  and  other  persons  can  secure  the 
privilege  by  depositing  the  money  value  of  the  books.  Every  one  has  the 
right  to  use  the  library  freely  within  the  halls. 

There  are  about  five  thousand  books  out  of  the  library  all  the  time, 
and  most  of  them  are  in  the  possession  of  members  of  Congress.  Senators 
read  a  great  many  books  relating  to  treaties  and  commercial  relations  with 
foreign  nations,  and  books  upon  finance,  political  economy,  and  social 
questions  are  constantly  demanded  by  the  members  of  both  houses.  Some 
Congressmen  are  very  fond  of  fiction  and  poetry,  and  read  all  the  latest 
works ;  others  are  all  the  time  seeking  historical  information,  and  reading 
of  the  views  and  actions  of  the  great  men  of  the  country  in  the  early  days. 
Many  of  the  wives  of  Senators  and  Representatives,  notwithstanding  the 
demands  made  upon  them  during  the  social  season,  read  a  large  number 
of  books,  and  some  of  the  wives  earnestly  study  historical  and  political 
questions  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  their  husbands  in  their  public 
duties ;  and  even  young  ladies  aid  their  fathers  in  this  way.  The  families 
of  Congressmen  read  all  the  popular  books  upon  art  and  household 
decoration,  and  upon  social  customs  at  home  and  abroad,  and  there  is  also 
a  great  deal  of  novel  reading  in  these  circles.  The  American  and  English 
poets  are  extensively  read,  and  not  a  few  of  the  nation's  legislators  and 
their  women  folk  are  careful  readers  and  ardent  admirers  of  the  classic  poets. 

Almost  any  day  one  can  see  in  the  library  a  number  of  men  of  national 
reputation  busily  reading  at  tables  covered  with  books.  There  is  no 
restriction  in  this  library  as  to  the 
number  of  books  one  can  obtain  at  a 
time.  The  attendants  are  courteous 
and  ready,  and  will  bring  to  a  reader 
all  the  works  on  a  subject  that  have 
been  published  for  a  hundred  years,  if 
they  are  wanted  ;  for  it  is  a  remarkable 
fact  that  upon  many  subjects  this  library 
has  every  book  that  has  ever  come  from 
a  press  for  a  century, — books  in  twenty 
languages;  books  good,  bad,  and  indif- 
ferent. On  these  crowded  shelves  the 
works  of  great  and  little  authors  jostle 
each    other, — productions    which    have 

long  been  the  admiration  of  the  world      ^^^^-^^^^^^  r.  spofford,  librarian 
and  those  of  brief  life  and  remembrance.  of  congress. 


J -2  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

Congress  annually  appropriates  about  ^54,000  for  the  expenses  of  the 
library.  From  40,000  to  50,000  books  and  pamphlets  are  added  each  year 
by  purchase,  gift,  and  exchange,  and  by  the  operation  of  the  copyright 
laws.  Many  publications  are  purchased  at  the  sales  of  private  libraries, 
and  many  publications  are  donated  by  patriotic  citizens.  Files  of  the 
leading  American,  English,  French,  and  German  newspapers  and  periodi- 
cals are  preserved.  The  collection  of  ancient  periodicals  is  very  large  and 
valuable. 

In  the  library  all  the  records  of  the  copyright  office  are  preserved. 
The  copyright  business  was  transferred  from  the  Patent  Office  to  the 
Library  of  Congress  in  1870.  The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  laws 
of  copyright  under  the  revised  acts  of  Congress,  as  prepared  by  the 
Librarian  of  Congress  expressly  for  public  use : 

A  printed  copy  of  the  title  of  the  book,  map,  chart,  dramatic  or  musical 
composition,  engraving,  cut,  print,  photograph,  or  a  description  of  the 
painting,  drawing,  chromo,  statue,  statuary,  or  model  or  design  for  a  work 
of  the  fine  arts,  for  which  copyright  is  desired,  must  be  sent  by  mail  or 
otherwise,  prepaid,  addressed  Librarian  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 
This  must  be  done  before  publication  of  the  book  or  other  article.  The 
printed  title  required  may  be  a  copy  of  the  title-page  of  such  publications 
as  have  title-pages.  In  other  cases,  the  title  must  be  printed  express>ly  for 
copyright  entry,  with  name  of  claimant  of  copyright.  The  style  of  type 
is  immaterial,  and  the  print  of  a  type-writer  will  be  accepted.  But  a 
separate  title  is  required  for  eacJi  entry,  and  eacli  title  must  be  printed  on 
paper  as  large  as  commercial  note.  A  fee  of  fifty  cents,  for  recording  the 
title  of  each  book  or  other  article,  must  be  enclosed  with  the  title  as  above, 
and  fifty  cents  in  addition  (or  one  dollar  in  all)  for  each  certificate  of  copy- 
right under  seal  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  which  will  be  transmitted 
by  early  mail.  Within  ten  days  after  publication  of  each  book  or  other 
article,  two  complete  copies  of  the  best  edition  issued  must  be  sent,  to 
perfect  the  copyright,  with  the  address  Librarian  of  Congress,  Washington, 
D.  C.  The  postage  must  be  prepaid,  or  else  the  publications  enclosed  in 
parcels  covered  by  printed  Penalty  Labels,  furnished  by  the  Librarian,  in 
which  case  they  will  come  free  by  mail,  according  to  rulings  of  the  Post- 
Office  Department.  Without  the  deposit  of  copies  above  required  the 
copyright  is  void,  and  a  penalty  of  ^25  is  incurred.  No  copy  is  required 
to  be  deposited  elsewhere. 

No  copyright  is  valid  unless  notice  is  given  by  inserting  in  every  copy 
published,  on  the  title-page  or  the  page  following,  if  it  be  a  book  ;  or, 
if  a  map,  chart,  musical  composition,  print,  cut,  engraving,  photograph, 
painting,  drawing,  chromo,  statue,  statuary,  or  model  or  design  intended 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


133 


■•''->«[#'«'• 


STATUE   OF   GENERAL   RAWLINS. 


to  be  perfected  as  a  work  of  the  fine  arts,  by  inscribing  upon  some  portion 
thereof,  or  on  the  substance  on  which  the  same  is  mounted,  the  following 

words,  viz.:  ''Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  ,  by 

'-,  in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington,"  or  at  the 


option  of  the  person  entering  the  copyright,  the  words,  "  Copyright,  18—, 

by ."     The  law  imposes  a  penalty  of  i^iOO  upon  any  person  who 

has  not  obtained  copyright  who  shall  insert  the  notice, ''  Entered  according 
to  act  of  Congress;'  or  "  Copyright;'  etc.,  or  words  of  the  same  import,  in 


134 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


or  upon  any  book  or  other  article.  Any  author  may  reserve  the  right  to 
translate  or  to  dramatize  his  own  work.  In  this  case  notice  should  be 
given  by  printing  the  words,  "Right  of  translation  reserved,"  or  "All  rights 
reserved,"  below  the  notice  of  copyright  entry,  and  notifying  the  Librarian 
of  Congress  of  such  reservation,  to  be  entered  upon  the  record. 

The  original  term  of  copyright  runs  for  twenty-eight  years.  Within 
six  niontlis  before  the  end  of  that  time  the  author  or  designer,  or  his  widow 
or  children,  may  secure  a  renewal  for  the  further  term  of  fourteen  years, 
making  forty-two  years  in  all.  Applications  for  renewal  must  be  accom- 
panied by  explicit  statement  of  ownership,  in  the  case  of  the  author,  or- 
of  relationship,  in  the  case  of  his  heirs,  and  must  state  definitely  the  date 
and  place  of  entry  of  the  original  copyright. 

The  time  within  which  any  work  entered  for  copyright  may  be  issued 
from  the  press  is  not  limited  by  any  law  or  regulation,  but  depends  upon 


STATUE  OF   ADMIRAL   UUPONT. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  I  35 

the  discretion  of  the  proprietor.     A  copyright  may  be  secured  for  a  pro- 
jected work  as  well  as  for  a  completed  one. 

A  copyright  is  assignable  in  law  by  any  instrument  of  writing,  but 
such  assignment  must  be  recorded  in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of 
Congress  within  sixty  days  from  its  date.  The  fee  for  this  record  and 
certificate  is  one  dollar,  and  for  a  certified  copy  of  any  record  of  assign- 
ment, one  dollar.  A  copy  of  the  record  (or  duplicate  certificate)  of  any 
copyright  entry  will  be  furnished,  under  seal,  at  the  rate  of  fifty  cents 

each. 

In  the  case  of  books  published  in  more  than  one  volume,  or  of 
periodicals  published  in  numbers,  or  of  engravings,  photographs,  or  other 
articles  published  with  variations,  a  copyright  is  to  be  entered  for  each 
volume  or  part  of  a  book,  or  number  of  a  periodical,  or  variety,  as  to 
style,  title,  or  inscription  of  any  other  article. 

To  secure  a  copyright  for  a  painting,  statue,  or  model  or  design  in- 
tended to  be  perfected  as  a  work  of  the  fine  arts,  so  as  to  prevent  infringe- 
ment by  copying,  engraving,  or  vending  such  design,  a  definite  description 
must  accompany  the  application  for  copyright,  and  a  photograph  of  the 
same,  at  least  as  large  as  "  cabinet  size,"  should  be  mailed  to  the  Librarian 
of  Congress  within  ten  days  from  the  completion  of  the  work  or  design. 
Copyrights  cannot  be  granted  upon  trade-marks,  nor  upon  mere  names 
of  companies  or  articles,  nor  upon  prints  or  labels  intended  to  be  used 
with  any  article  of  manufacture.  If  protection  for  such  names  or  labels 
is  desired,  application  must  be  made  to  the  Patent  Office,  where  they  are 
registered  at  a  fee  of  $0  for  labels  and  $2^  for  trade-marks. 

Citizens  or  residents  of  the  United  States  only  are  entitled  to  copy- 
right. Every  applicant  for  a  copyright  should  state  distinctly  the  full 
name  and  residence  of  the  claimant,  and  whether  the  right  is  claimed  as 
author,  designer,  or  proprietor.  No  affidavit  or  formal  application  is 
required. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

THE  SUPREME  COURT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES-THE  COURT-CHAMBER-MEMBERS  OF 
THE  COURT-ANCIENT  OFFICIAL  COSTUME-THE  COURT  IN  SESSION-LIST  OF 
CHIEF  JUSTICES  FROM  THE  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  THE  COURT  TO  THE  PRESENT 
TIME. 

HE  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  holds  its  sessions  in 
the  chamber  of  the  Capitol  originally  constructed  for  the  use 
of  the  Senate.     The  chamber  was  designed  by  Latrobe,  and 
is  a  fine  testimonial  of  his  skill  and  taste.     It  is  a  pure  ex- 
ample of  classic  architecture,  and   has  been  declared  the  most  beautiful 
small   court-chamber   in   the  world.     It   is   semicircular  in  form,  and  its 
greatest  length  is  seventy-five  feet,  and  its  greatest  width  and  height  forty- 
five  feet.     The  ceiling  is  a  portion  of  the  interior  of  a  low  dome.     There 
is  a  wide  arch  over  the  judicial  bench,  and  back  of  the  bench  is  a  series 
of  columns  of  variegated   marble  with  white  marble  capitals.     The  walls 
are  supported  by  marble  pilasters,  and  on  the  walls  are  marble  busts  of 
the   six  deceased   Chief  Justices.     The   central   part  of  the   chamber  is 
arranged  for  the  use  of  lawyers  attending  the  court,  and  has  mahogany 
chairs  and  tables,  some  of  which  were  used  by  eminent  Senators  half  a 
century  ago.     At  the  sides  of  the  chamber  are  seats  upholstered  in  red 
velvet  for  visitors.     The  Senate  first  occupied  this  chamber  in  November, 
i8co,  and,  with  the  exception  of  the  time  during  which  the  Capitol  was 
being  reconstructed  after  the  British   invasion,  continued  in  occupancy 
until  December,  1859,  when  the  new  Senate  chamber  was  taken  posses- 
sion of     The  Supreme  Court  began  its  sessions  here  in  i860. 

The  court  is  in  session  from  the  second  Monday  in  October  to  the 
early  part  of  May  of  each  year,  and  usually  sits  five  days  in  the  week, 
Saturday  being  reserved  for  consultation  about  cases.  The  Chief  Justice 
has  a  salary  of  ^10,500  per  year,  and  the  eight  Associate  Justices  have 
salaries  of  ^10,000.  All  the  justices  are  appointed  by  the  President  and 
confirmed  by  the  Senate,  and  hold  their  positions  for  life,  or,  as  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  United  States  says,  "  during  good  behavior."  When  a  jus- 
tice has  reached  the  age  of  seventy,  if  he  has  been  on  the  bench  for  ten 

137 


138  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

years,  he  may  retire,  and  his  full  salary  is  paid  to  him  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  The  court  hears  all  cases  appealed  from  the  United 
States  circuit  and  district  courts,  and  gives  the  final  decision  upon  them. 
It  also  decides  finally  all  constitutional  questions.  The  court  at  present 
consists  of  Chief  Justice  Morrison  R.  Waite,  of  Ohio,  who  was  appointed 
by  President  Grant  in  January,  1874;  and  Associate  Justices  Samuel  F. 
Miller,  of  Iowa  ;  Stephen  J.  Field,  of  California  ;  Joseph  P.  Bradley,  of  New 
Jersey;  John  M.  Harlan,  of  Kentucky;  William  B.  Woods,  of  Georgia; 
Stanley  Matthews,  of  Ohio;  Horace  Gray,  of  Massachusetts;  and  Samuel 
Blatchford,  of  New  York. 

Justices  Miller  and  Field  are  the  senior  justices,  and  they  sit  on  the 
bench  at  the  right  and  left  of  the  Chief  Justice.  They  were  appointed  by 
President  Lincoln  in  1862  and  1863,  respectively.  Justice  Bradley  was 
appointed  by  President  Grant  in  1870,  and  Justices  Harlan  and  Woods  by 
President  Hayes  in  1877  ^"^  1880,  respectively.  Justice  Matthews  was 
originally  appointed  by  President  Hayes,  but  the  Senate  failed  to  confirm 
his  appointment,  and  he  was  afterwards  reappointed  by  President  Garfield 
in  1 88 1.  Justices  Gray  and  Blatchford  were  appointed  by  President 
Arthur  in  1881  and  1882,  respectively. 

When  the  court  was  first  established  the  justices  wore  long  black  silk 
gowns,  knee-breeches,  silk  stockings,  and  low  shoes  adorned  with  great 
silver  buckles.  They  also  donned  white  wigs  of  the  "  pig-tail"  style. 
This  official  costume  was  continued  for  many  years,  or  until  the  time  of 
Chief  Justice  Taney,  who  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  justice  to  give  "a 
decision  in  pantaloons."  At  the  present  time  the  justices  wear  black  suits 
covered  with  the  time-honored  silk  s^owns.  The  formal  court  customs 
which  prevailed  in  the  first  part  of  the  century  have  been  also  laid  aside 
with  the  wigs  and  small-clothes  and  silver  buckles,  and  the  customs  of 
to-day  are  very  simple. 

The  clerk  of  the  court  is  James  H.  McKenney,  of  the  District  of 
Columbia.  He  was  appointed  in  1880,  and  has  a  salary  of  ;^6ooo  per 
year.     The  marshal  is  John  G.  Nicolay,  of  Illinois.     He  was  the  private 

secretary  of  President  Lincoln,  and  was  appointed 
to  his  present  position  in  1872.  His  salary  is  ;$3000. 
The  court  reporter  is  J.  C.  Bancroft  Davis,  of  New 
York.  He  was  appointed  in  1883,  and  has  a  salary 
of  $5700. 

Each  day's  session  of  the  court  begins  promptly 

at  noon  and   continues  without   intermission   until 

four  o'clock.     When    the    nine   justices   enter    the 

COURT  SEAL.  court-cliambcr  from   the  robing-room  the  marshal 


JUSTICES   OF   THE   SUPREME  COURT. 


1.  Justice  Gray. 

2.  Justice  Harlan. 

3.  Justice  Matthews. 


4.  Justice  Miller. 

5.  Chief  Justice  Waite. 

6.  Justice  Field. 


7.  Justice  Woods. 

8.  Justice  Bradley. 

9.  Justice  Blatchford. 


I40 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


requests  all  persons  present  to  rise,  and  then  makes  this  announcement : 
"  The  Honorable  the  Chief  Justice  and  Associate  Justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States."  The  justices  range  themselves  on  the  bench 
in  the  order  of  their  appointment,  with  the  Chief  Justice  in  the  centre. 
They  salute  those  present  very  politely  and  then  seat  themselves.  The 
ancient  formula  is  then  uttered  by  the  court-crier,  "  Oyez  !  Oyez  !  Oyez  ! 
All  persons  having  business  before  the  honorable  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States  are  admonished  to  draw  near  and  give  their  attention,  for 
the  court  is  now  sitting.  God  save  the  United  States  and  this  honorable 
court." 

The  court  business  begins  immediately  after  the  crier  has  made  his 
announcement.  If  there  is  no  decision  to  be  read  by  any  of  the  justices, 
the  first  case  on  the  docket  of  the  day  is  taken  up,  and  the  justices  sit  back 
in  their  comfortable  chairs  to  listen  to  the  arguments  of  the  lawyers.  As 
a  case  progresses  questions  are  asked  by  the  Chief  Justice  or  the  other 
members  of  the  court,  books  are  consulted,  and  the  pages  of  briefs  turned 
over.  Patient  attention  is  paid  to  the  arguments,  and  all  the  members  of 
this  high  tribunal  are  very  courteous  and  pleasant  in  their  intercourse  with 
the  lawyers.  As  soon  as  the  hands  of  the  clock  over  the  long  judicial 
bench  point  to  four  the  court  is  adjourned  for  the  day,  and  the  justices 
march  out  to  the  robing-room,  where  colored  attendants  remove  their 
silken  robes.  Every  Saturday  the  justices  meet  in  the  consultation  room 
to  consider  the  cases  submitted  to  them.  The  cases  are  all  considered  by 
the  full  bench,  but  when  a  decision  is  reached  one  justice  is  designated  to 
put  it  in  form  to  be  publicly  announced.  At  each  annual  session  of  the 
court  there  are  more  than  one  thousand  cases  on  the  dockets,  and  about 
four  hundred  are  added  yearly. 

On  the  day  the  court  begins  its  annual  session  the  justices  make  a 
ceremonious  call  upon  the  President,  and  also  pay  their  respects  to  him 
on  New  Year's  day.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  winter  the  President  gives 
a  grand  dinner  at  the  White  House  to  the  members  of  the  court  and 
their  wives. 

Congress  created  the  Supreme  Court  by  act  of  September  24,  1789, 
and  the  court  assembled  in  February,  1790.  President  Washington  ap- 
pointed as  the  first  Chief  Justice  the  famous  statesman,  John  Jay,  of  New 
York,  who  was  then  but  forty-four  years  old.  There  were  five  Associate 
Justices,  as  follows:  John  Rutledge,  of  South  Carolina;  William  Cushing, 
of  Massachusetts;  James  Wilson,  of  Pennsylvania;  John  Blair,  of  Vir- 
ginia; and  James  Iredell,  of  North  Carolina.  The  official  seal  adopted 
was  "  the  arms  of  the  United  States  engraven  on  a  circular  piece  of  steel 
of  the  size  of  a  dollar,  with  these  words  on   the   margin,  '  Seal  of  the 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  I^I 

Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,'  "  During  the  first  twenty  years  of 
the  court  it  had  very  httle  business.  From  1820  to  1840  the  cases  sub- 
mitted to  it  averaged  only  about  fifty-five  a  year.  After  i860  the  court 
dockets  became  crowded,  and  now  suitors  have  to  wait  a  long  time  for  a 
hearing.  Most  of  the  new  cases  entered  are  not  likely  to  be  heard  under 
four  or  five  years. 

Chief  Justice  Jay  was  on  the  bench  until  1795.  John  Rutledge,  of 
South  Carolina,  was  appointed  to  succeed  him,  and  presided  during  one 
term  of  the  court,  but  was  not  confirmed  by  the  Senate.  Washington 
then  appointed  William  Cushing,  who  was  the  senior  Associate  Justice, 
but  Cushing  only  retained  his  commission  a  few  days,  and  never  acted 
as  Chief  Justice.  His  name,  therefore,  is  not  placed  in  the  list  of  Chief 
Justices.  In  1796,  Oliver  Ellsworth,  of  Connecticut,  was  appointed,  and 
remained  as  Chief  Justice  until  1801,  when  he  resigned,  and  John  Mar- 
shall, of  Virginia,  became  the  head  of  the  Supreme  Court.  Marshall  had 
been  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  a  Representative  in  Congress,  Minister 
to  France,  and  Secretary  of  State  during  the  last  year  of  President  John 
Adams'  administration.  When  he  became  Chief  Justice  he  was  forty-six 
years  old.  From  1801  until  1835  he  presided  over  the  court,  and  it  has 
been  said  that  "  it  was  he  who  established  the  power  of  the  Supreme 
Court  as  we  recognize  it  at  the  present  day.  It  was  he  who,  more  than 
any  other  man  of  his  time,  carried  forward  the  work  of  the  Constitution 
in  welding  the  loose  league  of  states  into  a  compact,  powerful  nationality." 
His  decisions,  contained  in  thirty-two  volumes  of  the  court  reports,  gave 
him  a  prominent  place  among  the  great  jurists  of  the  world. 

Chief  Justice  Marshall  was  tall  and  awkward,  and  had  homely  features 
and  a  small  head.  He  had  little,  twinkling  eyes  which  often  had  a  merry 
look,  and  he  dearly  loved  a  hearty  laugh.  He  was  gentle  in  speech  and 
engaging  in  manner,  and  entirely  free  from  pride  of  office.  He  was  very 
careless  in  dress,  and  his  clothes  usually  looked  as  if  they  had  come 
"  from  the  wardrobe  of  some  antiquated  slop-shop."  When  he  attended 
the  circuit  courts  he  rode  in  a  one-horse  gig  without  an  attendant,  and 
few  who  saw  the  shabby-looking  traveller  would  have  believed  he  was 
"  the  great  Chief  Justice,"  as  he  was  called.  He  daily  visited  the  Center 
Market  when  in  Washington  to  purchase  his  household  supplies,  and  it  is 
related  by  Justice  Story  that  "  one  morning  while  doing  his  marketing  he 
came  across  a  young  Virginia  blood  who  was  swearing  loudly  because  he 
could  hire  no  one  to  take  home  his  turkey.  Marshall  stepped  up  and, 
ascertaining  of  him  where  he  lived,  replied,  'That  is  in  my  way,  and  I 
will  take  it  for  you.'  When  he  arrived  at  the  dwelling  the  young  man 
inquired,  'What  shall   I  pay  you?'     'Oh,  nothing,'  was  the   rejoinder; 


142 


/- 

THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


'  you  are  welcome.  It  was  in  my  way,  and  no  trouble.'  '  Who  was  that 
polite  old  gentleman  who  brought  home  my  turkey  for  me?'  inquired  the 
other  of  a  bystander,  as  Marshall  stepped  away.  'That,'  replied  he,  'is 
John  Marshall,  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States.'  " 

After  the  death  of  Marshall,  in  1835,  President  Jackson  nominated 
Roger  B.  Taney,  of  Maryland,  to  be  Chief  Justice.  The  nomination  was 
confirmed  at  once  by  the  Senate,  and  Chief  Justice  Taney  sat  on  the 
bench  for  twenty-eight  years.  He  had  been  the  leading  lawyer  of  the 
Maryland  bar,  and  was  a  man  of  great  ability.  He  died  in  1864,  and 
Salmon  P.  Chase,  of  Ohio,  became  Chief  Justice,  but  only  remained  in 
office  a  little  more  than  nine  years.  Chase  died  in  1873,  and  a  few 
months  after  his  death  the  present  Chief  Justice  was  appointed. 

Dunne  the  existence  of  the  court  there  have  been  forty-three  Asso- 
ciate  Justices.  The  eminent  jurist,  Joseph  Story,  was  a  member  of  the 
court  thirty-four  years,  and  Bushrod  Washington,  a  nephew  of  President 
Washington,  was  a  member  thirty-one  years.  John  Catron  served  twenty- 
eight  years;  John  McLean  and  James  M.  Wayne,  thirty-two  years; 
Samuel  Nelson,  twenty-seven  years  ;  Robert  C.  Grier  and  Nathan  Clifford, 
twenty-three  years;  Noah  H.  Swayne,  twenty  years;  and  David  Davis, 
fifteen  years. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

THE    HALLS    OF   CONGRESS— VARIOUS   WORKS    OF  ART    IN    THE    EXTENSIONS  OF    THE 
CAPITO^-HOW  THE  ANCIENT    HALLS  OF    LEGISLATION  APPEARED-THE   ANNUAL 
SESSIONS    OF   CONGRESS— PRINCIPAL   OFFICIALS    OF    BOTH    HOUSES— DETAILS    OF 
•THE  NATIONAL  LEGISLATURE. 

|ONGRESS  occupies  the  extensions  of  the  Capitol,  or  the  north 
and  south  wings.  In  these  wings  the  two  halls  of  legislation 
are  arranged  in  the  form  of  squares,  with  capacious  lobbies 
and  galleries  extending  entirely  around  them.  The  Senate 
chamber  is  in  the  north  wing,  and  the  hall  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives is  in  the  south  wing.  Both  wings  are  constructed  of  marble  and  iron, 
and  have  rich  and  tasteful  ornamentation.  The  Senate  chamber  is  one 
hundred  and  twelve  feet  long,  eighty-two  feet  wide,  and  thirty  feet  high. 
It  has  a  ceiling  of  iron  girders  and  cross-pieces  with  glass  panels,  on  which 
are  painted  various  national  emblems.  The  walls  have  pilasters,  niches,  and 
wide  panels,  and  are  finely  painted  and  decorated  in  gold  and  buff.  The 
floor  is  covered  with  a  costly  carpet,  and  arranged  in  concentric  semi- 
circles on  the  floor  are  the  desks  and  chairs  of  the  Senators.  All  the 
desks  are  of  the  finest  mahogany,  and  some  of  them  were  used  in  the  old 
Senate  chamber  by  the  famous  Senators  of  by-gone  days.  Each  desk 
has  on  its  front  a  silver  plate  inscribed  with  the  name  of  the  occupant. 
The  chairs  are  of  various  styles  and  material  to  suit  the  fancy  of  the 
Senators.  The  President  of  the  Senate  sits  on  a  small  platform  or  dais, 
and  in  front  of  his  chair  is  a  wide  desk.  At  his  right  sits  the  sergeant- 
at-arms,  and  at  his  left  sits  the  assistant  door-keeper.  The  desk  of  the 
Senate  clerks  and  the  tables  of  the  official  reporters  are  in  front  of  the 
desk  of  the  presiding  officer.  The  chamber  has  large  galleries  which 
will  seat  upwards  of  looo  persons.  There  is  a  gallery  reserved  for  the 
members  of  the  foreign  legations  residing  in  Washington,  and  galleries 
for  the  families  and  friends  of  the  Senators.  There  is  also  a  gallery  for 
the  reporters  of  the  press,  which  is  directly  over  the  chair  of  the  presiding 
officer,  and  galleries  for  the  public.  When  an  important  debate  is  going 
on  the  galleries  will  be  crowded,  but  on  ordinary  occasions  there  is  plenty 
144 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


145 


of  room  for  spectators.  The  chamber  has  a  magnificent  appearance,  but 
in  size  it  does  not  compare  with  the  hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
which  is  the  largest  legislative  hall  in  the  world.  The  Senate  first 
occupied  the  chamber  on  January  4,  1859. 

A  lobby  extends  along  the  back  of  the  chamber,  and  leading  from  it 
is  the  "  marble  room"  where  Senators  receive  visitors,  and  where  consul- 
tations are  held.  Every  part  of  the  room  is  of  marble.  The  rooms  of 
the  President  and  Vice-President  of  the  United  States  are  near  the  marble 


THE  SENATE   MARBLE   ROOM. 
ID 


1^6  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

room.  The  President's  room  is  richly  decorated,  and  on  the  walls  are 
finely-executed  frescos  of  President  Washington  and  the  members  of  his 
first  Cabinet.  The  room  is  used  by  the  President  on  the  closing  day  of 
each  session  of  Congress  for  the  purpose  of  examining  and  signing  the 
bills  that  are  passed.  The  Vice-President's  room  is  handsomely  furnished. 
Here  is  the  celebrated  painting  of  Washington,  by  Rembrandt  Peale,  which 
the  government  purchased  in  1832  for  ^25,000. 

The  eastern  and  western  grand  staircases,  which  lead  to  the  Senate 
galleries  from  the  main  floor,  are  very  beautiful.  They  are  of  fine  polished 
marble,  and  have  ponderous  pillars  and  balustrades.  A  marble  statue  of 
Benjamin  Franklin,  by  Hiram  Powers,  stands  at  the  foot  of  the  eastern 
stai'rcase,  and  on  the  wall,  over  the  first  landing,  is  a  mammoth  painting 
of  "  Perry's  Victory  on  Lake  Erie,"  by  W.  H.  Powell.  The  painting  cost 
;^'25,ooo,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  Capitol.  It  gives  a  spirited 
delineation  of  Commodore  Perry's  heroic  act  of  transferring  his  flag 
from  the  disabled  ship,  the  "  Lawrence,"  to  the  "  Niagara."  The  boat 
containing  Perry  and  his  little  brother  and  a  brave  crew  was  exposed  to 
a  furious  cannonading  by  the  British  fleet  during  the  fifteen  minutes 
required  for  the  perilous  voyage,  but  Perry  succeeded  in  hoisting  his  flag 
on  the  "  Niagara."  This  act  inspired  the  Americans  with  fresh  courage, 
and  by  a  prompt  movement  they  scattered  the  British  fleet  and  won  the 
victory. 

There  is  a  marble  statue  of  John  Hancock,  by  Horatio  Stone,  at  the 
foot  of  the  western  staircase.  On  the  wall  of  the  landing  is  James 
Walker's  painting  of  "  The  Storming  of  Chapultepec  by  General  Scott's 
troops." 

The  hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives  is  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
nine  feet  long,  ninety-three  feet  wide,  and  thirty-six  feet  high.  It  has  a 
ceiling  similar  to  that  of  the  Senate  chamber,  but  on  the  glass  panels  are 
the  coats  of  arms  of  the  states.  The  great  size  of  the  hall  and  its  elegant 
ornamentation  give  it  a  grand  appearance.  When  there  is  a  night  session 
of  the  House  the  hall  is  beautifully  illuminated  by  1500  gas-jets,  placed 
back  of  the  ceiling.  The  desks  and  chairs  of  the  Representatives  fill  the 
greater  part  of  the  floor.  The  Speaker  of  the  House  sits  behind  a  white 
marble  table,  on  a  platform  elevated  about  four  feet  from  the  floor,  and  at 
his  right  hand,  on  a  marble  pedestal,  is  his  symbol  of  authority,  the  time- 
honored  mace.  The  mace  was  adopted  by  the  House  in  the  First  Con- 
gress, and  has  been  in  use  ever  since.  When  it  is  placed  on  its  pedestal 
it  signifies  that  the  House  is  in  session  and  under  the  Speaker's  authority; 
when  it  is  placed  on  the  floor,  that  the  House  is  in  committee  of  the 
whole.      The   mace  is  a  bundle  of  black   rods  fastened  with  transverse 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


H7 


d  its 
ich 


^lOll 


THE   SENATE    LOBBY. 


bands  of  silver,  like  the  Roman  fasces.  On  its  top  is  a  silver  globe  sur- 
mounted by  a  silver  eagle.  When  the  sergeant-at-arms  is  executing  the 
commands  of  the  Speaker  he  is  required  to  bear  aloft  the  mace  in  his. 
hands. 

In  front  of  the  Speaker's  table  are  marble  desks  for  the  House  clerks 
and  reporters.  On  the  wall  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  Speaker's  table  are 
large  paintings  by  Bierstadt,  representing  the  "Settlement  of  California," 
and  the  "  Discovery  of  the  Hudson  River  ;"  and  there  are  also  paintings 
of  Washington  and  Lafayette  by  Vanderlyn  and  Ary  Scheffer  respectively. 
A  fresco  of  "  Washington  at  Yorktown,"  by  Brumidi,  also  adorns  the 
walls.  Above  the  Speaker's  table  is  the  gallery  for  the  press  reporters. 
There  are  other  galleries  with  accommodations  for  1 300  f);^rsons.  The 
House  first  occupied  this  hall  on  December  16,  1857. 

At  the  rear  of  the  hall  is  the  members'  lobby,  on  th^^^ls  of  which 
are  portraits  of  past  Speakers.  Opening  from  the  Iol^C,,3qpche  retiring- 
room,  which  is  large  and  handsomely  furnished.  Ro^^^.t)r  the  various 
officials  of  the  House  open  from  the  main  corridor.  ^^ 

Leading  from  the  corridor  are  strand  staircases  sv^lar  to  those  of  the 
Senate,  There  is  a  marble  statue  of  Jefferson,  by  Hiram  Powers,  at  the 
foot  of  the  eastern  staircase,  and  on  the  wall  of  the  landing  hangs  the 


148 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


e  is  the 
he 


^ovc- 


'f:^"jrry^¥-^v''"Wi 


GRAND   STAIRCASE    IN   SENATE    EXTENSION    OF   THE   CAPITOL. 


painting,  by  Frank  B.  Carpenter,  of  "  President  Lincohi  signing  the  Proc- 
lamation of  Emancipation."  The  painting  was  sold  by  the  artist  for 
;§25,000  to  Mary  E.  Thompson,  who  presented  it  to  the  government 
February  12,  1878. 

The  waU,;  of  the  western  staircase  is  ornamented  with  a  huge  chromo- 
silica,  which'  ^presents  a  party  of  emigrants  crossing  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains.  It  w^  ''linted  by  Emanuel  Leutze,  and  cost  ^20,000.  Below  this 
chromo  is  L'  j  Bierstadt,  representing  the  entrance  to  the  harbor  of 
San  Francisco.  .  bronze  bust  of  a  chief  of  the  Chippewa  Indians  stands 
on  a  marble  pedt         at  the  foot  of  the  staircase. 

The  Congress  c  the  United  States  has  met  annually  at  Washington 
since  the  17th  of  November,  1800.  On  that  day  the  second  session  of 
the  Sixth  Congress  was  begun  in  the  partly  finished  Capitol,  and  on  the 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


149 


22d  of  November  the  building  was  formally  dedicated  to  national  legis- 
lation. Previous  to  1800  the  sessions  of  Congress  had  been  held  at  New 
York  and  Philadelphia.  When  the  Capitol  was  first  occupied  it  was  a 
poorly  constructed,  inconvenient  building,  and  it  was  not  until  1808  that 
Congress  had  suitable  accommodations.  In  that  year  what  is  now  the 
central  part  of  the  Capitol  (with  the  exception  of  the  rotunda  and  its  pro- 
jections) was  completed,  and  the  House  of  Representatives,  which  had 
met  for  several  sessions  in  small  apartments, — one  of  which  was  facetiously 
designated  as  "the  oven," — was  enabled  to  occupy  the  beautiful  hall 
especially  constructed  for  it.  The  Senate  had  occupied  its  chamber  from 
the  first,  but  the  chamber  was  altered  and  improved  from  year  to  year. 
Until  the  British  troops  invaded  the  Capitol  in  the  summer  of  18 14  and 
fired  the  "  harbor  of  Yankee  Democracy,"  Congress  continued  its  sessions 
in  the  building.  The  fire  only  destroyed  the  interior  of  the  Capitol,  very 
little  damage  being  done  to  the  walls  and  foundations.  While  Latrobe 
was  engaged  in  the  work  of  reconstruction,  from  18 15  to  18 17,  Congress 
met  in  Blodget's  "  Great  Hotel"  for  one  session,  and  afterwards  in  a  brick 
building,  erected  by  citizens  of  Washington,  adjacent  to  the  eastern  grounds 
of  the  Capitol.  This  building  was  called  the  "  Old  Capitol,"  and  during 
the  Civil  War  was  known  as  the  "  Old  Capitol  Prison,"  as  it  was  used  as 
a  place  of  confinement  for  Confederates.  The  picture  of  the  building 
which  is  presented  in  this  chapter  was  drawn  from  a  photograph  taken  by 


(A 


/  mf  \ 


PAINTING,  "  perry's   VICTORY   ON   LAKE   ERIE,"    IN   SENATE   EXTENSION. 


ISO 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


the  War  Department  in  1864.  The  building  is  at  present  used  for  resi- 
dences, having  been  considerably  reconstructed. 

After  the  original  halls  of  Congress  were  restored  they  were  used  for 
legislative  purposes  for  some  forty  years,  or  until  the  present  halls  in  the 
extensions  of  the  Capitol  were  completed.  The  old  Senate  chamber,  now 
used  by  the  Supreme  Court,  can  thus  be  described  :  On  a  small  platform 
in  the  centre  of  the  screen  of  marble  columns  at  the  back  of  the  chamber 
was  the  chair  of  the  President  of  the  Senate,  and  in  front  of  his  chair 
were  the  desks  of  the  Senate  officials.  Above  the  screen  of  columns  was 
a  small  gallery,  and  another  gallery,  supported  by  large  iron  columns  and 
with  a  gilded  iron  balustrade,  extended  around  the  chamber.  Over  the 
gallery  on  the  east  was  a  great  painting  of  Washington,  by  Charles  Wilson 
Peale,  which  was  set  in  a  deep  gilt  frame  and  handsomely  draped.  The  fine 
mahogaay  desks  and  chairs  of  the  Senators  filled  the  central  part  of  the 
chamber,  and  were  arranged  in  concentric  circles.  Outside  of  the  railing 
which  enclosed  the  desks  were  large,  comfortable  sofas  for  distinguished 
visitors.  At  night  a  large  chandelier  gave  brilliant  illumination.  In  this 
chamber  Daniel  Webster,  Henry  Clay,  John  C.  Calhoun,  Lewis  Cass, 
Thomas  Hart  Benton,  and  other  famous  Senators  of  the  first  part  of  the 
century  performed  their  legislative  work  and  made  many  of  their  most 
celebrated  speeches. 

The  old  hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  now  the  National 
Statuary  Hall,  appeared  as  follows  in  the  latter  years  of  its  use  by  the 
House:  The  Speaker's  chair  and  table  stood  on  a  rostrum  four  feet 
from  the  floor,  and  back  of  the  rostrum  were  crimson  curtains,  hanging  in 
folds  from  the  capitals  of  the  ponderous  marble  columns  which  supported 
the  great  arch  of  the  hall.  The  clerk's  desk  stood  below  the  rostrum,  and 
between  the  columns  were  sofas  and  tables  for  the  reporters.  The  Rep- 
resentatives were  provided  with  mahogany  desks  and  wide  arm-chairs, 
which  were  arranged  in  concentric  circles.  The  hall  could  accommodate 
two  hundred  and  fifty  members.  A  bronzed  iron  railing  with  curtains 
enclosed  the  outer  row  of  desks,  and  this  constituted  the  bar  of  the  House. 
Beyond  the  railing  was  the  members'  lobby,  and  above  the  lobby  were 
galleries  seating  about  five  hundred  persons.  One  of  the  galleries  was 
reserved  foi'dadies,  and  in  two  of  its  panels  were  paintings  of  Washington 
and  Lafayett\ which  now  hang  in  the  present  hall  of  the  House.  Under 
the  paintings  vVere  large  copies  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  in 
frames  ornamented  with  national  emblems.  The  hall  was  lighted  by  a 
chandelier,  which  iVung  from  the  centre  of  the  domed  ceiling. 

Congress  at  preselit  has  four  hundred  and  nine  members.  The  Senate 
is  composed  of  seventy^ix  Senators,  two  from  each  state ;  and  the  House 


152 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


of  Representatives  is  composed  of  three  hundred  and  twenty-five  Repre- 
sentatives. Eight  Delegates  who  represent  the  eight  territories  are  also 
allowed  seats  in  the  House,  but  cannot  vote.  They  receive  the  same 
compensation  as  the  other  members  of  Congress.  The  Senators  are 
elected  by  the  state  legislatures  for  a  term  of  six  years,  and  the  Repre- 
sentatives and  Delegates  are  elected  by  the  people  for  two  years.     Each 

Congress  is  designated  by  a  number,  and 
has  a  legislative  existence  of  two  years, 
during  which  time  there  are  two  regular 
sessions,  termed  the  "  long  session"  and 
the  "  short  session."  The  long  session  is 
held  in  the  first  year  of  each  Congress,  and 
usually  continues  six  months  or  more,  as 
may  be  desired ;  the  short  session  is  held 
in  the  second  year,  and  by  law  expires  at 
noon  on  the  4th  of  March.  Congress 
meets  annually  on  the  first  Monday  in 
December.  There  have  been  forty-eight 
Congresses  from  March  4,  1789,  when  the 
First  Congress  of  the  United  States  met  at 
New  York,  to  March  4,  1885. 

The  states  are  entitled  to  representation 
in  Congress  according  to  their  population. 
At  present  the  ratio  of  representation, 
under  the  tenth  census,  is  one  Representa- 
tive for  each  154,325  people.  Until  the 
eleventh  census  is  taken,  in  1890,  the  ap- 
portionment of  Representatives  will  be  as 
follows  :  Alabama,  eight ;  Arkansas,  five  ; 
California,  six ;  Colorado,  one ;  Connec- 
ticut, four ;  Delaware,  one ;  Florida,  two  ; 
Georgia,  ten;  Illinois,  twenty;  Indiana, 
thirteen  ;  Iowa,  eleven  ;  Kansas,  seven  ; 
Kentucky,  eleven  ;  Louisiana,  six  ;  Maine, 
four;  Maryland,  six;  Massachusetts,  twelve; 
Michigan,  eleven  ;  Minnesota,  five;  Missis- 
sippi, seven  ;  Missouri,  fourteen  ;  Nebraska, 
three  ;  Nevada,  one  ;  New  Hampshire,  two  ; 
New  Jersey,  seven  ;  New  York,  thirty-four  ; 
North  Carolina,  niile;  Ohio,  twenty-one; 
Oregon,  one;   Pennsylvania,  twenty-eight; 


THE   SPEAKER'S    MACE. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


153 


representatives'  retiring-room. 


Rhode  Island,  two  ;  South  Carolina,  seven  ;  Tennessee,  ten  ;  Texas,  eleven  ; 
Vermont,  two;  Virginia,  ten;  West  Virginia,  four;  Wisconsin,  nine. 

Each' member  of  Congress  has  a  salary  of  ;^5000  per  year,  payable 
monthly.  The  President  pro  tempore  of  the  Senate  and  the  Speaker  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  have  extra  salaries  of  ^3000»  oi"  ^8000  in 
all.  The  members  are  allowed  mileage  of  twenty  cents  per  mile  to  and 
from  Washington  each  annual  session,  and  also  have  an  allowance  of  $125 
per  year  for  newspapers  and  stationery.  The  amount  expended  yearly 
for  the  salaries  of  Senators  is  ^380,000;  for  Representatives  and  Dele- 
gates, ^1,665,000.  The  amount  expended  for  mileage  is  ^143,624,  and 
for  newspapers  and  stationery,  about  $70,000.  There  are  many  high 
salaried  officials  connected  with  Congress,  and  the  miscellaneous  expenses 
are  large.     The  cost  of  an  annual  session  is  nearly  three  million  dollars. 

The  Vice-President  of  the  United  States  is  empowered  by  the  Consti- 
tution to  act  as  President  of  the  Senate,  "  but  shall  have  no  vote  unless 
they  are  equally  divided."  The  Senate  is  empowered  to  choose  a  Presi- 
dent/w  tempore,  who  presides  in  the  absence  of  the  Vice-President.  The 
other  principal  officers  of  the  Senate  are  as  follows :  Chaplain  with  a 
yearly  salary  of  $900;  secretary,  with  $4896;  chief  clerk  and  financial 
clerk,   with   $3000    each;    executive   clerk,   principal    clerk,   minute    and 


154 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


journal  clerk,  and  enrolling  clerk,  with  ^$2592  each ;  sergeant-at-arms  and 
door-keeper,  with  ^4320;  two  assistant  door-keepers,  with  ^2592  each; 
principal  book-keeper,  with  ^4320,  and  two  assistant  book-keepers,  with 
;^2592  each;  postmaster,  with  ^$2250;  librarian,  with  ^2220;  keeper  of 
stationery,  with  ^2102;  and  superintendents  of  folding-room  and  docu- 
ment-room, with  ;^2i6o  each.  There  are  also  numerous  clerks,  door- 
keepers, messengers,  pages,  and  other  employes,  all  of  whom  have  large 
salaries. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Senate  are  reported  in  short  hand,  at  an 
expense  of  ^25,000  per  year.  The  full  amount  is  paid  to  the  chief 
official  reporter,  who  contracts  to  perform  the  work.  He  employs  four 
assistants  and  a  number  of  copyists.  The  present  system  of  verbatim 
reporting  was  begun  in  1848,  and  has  been  continued  at  each  session 
since  that  year. 

The  House  of  Representatives  elects  its  Speaker  at  the  beginning  of 
each  Congress,  and  he  holds  the  office  during  the  legislative  period  of  the 
Congress.  The  Speaker  is  provided  with  a  private  secretary,  who  has  a 
salary  of  ;^i8oo,  and  there  are  also  a  Speaker's  clerk  and  a  clerk  to  the 
Speaker's  table,  whose  salaries  are  $1600  and  1^1400  respectively.  The 
House  has  a  chaplain  with  a  salary  of  i^QOO,  a  principal  clerk  with  ^4500, 


OLD   CAPITOL    PRISON    IN    1864. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


155 


and  nine  other  clerks  with  salaries  ranging  from  ^3000  to  ^2240.  There 
are  also  ten  assistant  clerks  with  from  ^2000  to  $\/\i\o.  The  sergeant-at- 
arms  and  his  deputy  have  salaries  of  ^4000  and  ;^2000  respectively. 
There  is  a  principal  door-keeper  with  ;^2500,  and  there  are  numerous 
other  door-keepers  with  from  ;^2000  to  $1200.  The  force  of  messengers, 
pages,  committee  clerks,  etc.,  is  large  and  well  paid. 

There  are  five  official  reporters  of  the  House.  The  chief  reporter  has 
a  salary  of  ;^6ooo,  and  the  others  ^5000  each.  Verbatim  reporting  was 
first  introduced  in  the  House  in  1850.  It  is  an  exceedingly  difficult  task. 
At  first  sight  one  would  hardly  believe  the  most  expert  reporters  could 
catch  all  the  rapid  speeches  that  are  made  during  an  important  debate 
and  all  the  proceedings  in  the  great  hall  during  a  day  of  intense  excite- 
ment, but  the  work  is  done  day  after  day  with  remarkable  accuracy.  The 
reports  of  both  the  Senate  and  House  are  printed  in  the  official  publica- 
tion called  TJic  Congressional  Record,  which  is  issued  every  morning  from 
the  Government  Printing-Ofifice  during  the  session  of  Congress,  and  sup- 
plied to  the  members  of  both  houses.  The  annual  cost  of  this  publication 
is  nearly  ^200,000. 

Congress  assembles  daily  at  noon.  Each  house  is  opened  with  prayer 
by  the  chaplain,  and  then  follows  what  is  called  "the  morning  hour,"  when 
bills,  petitions,  and  reports  are  presented.  After  the  morning  hour  bills 
are  taken  from  the  regular  or  special  calendars  and  discussed.  The 
House  has  many  complicated  rules  and  practices  which  often  greatly 
retard  its  business.  Usually  the  day's  session  closes  about  five  o'clock. 
During  the  latter  part  of  an  annual  session  there  are  frequent  meetings  in 
the  evening. 


W:^'' 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE  WHITE  HOUSE-ITS  ARCHITECT  AND  HIS  WORK-THE  EARLY  OCCUPANTS  OF  THE 
PRESIDENTIAL  RESIDENCE-MRS.  MADISON'S  DINNER  FOR  THE  BRITISH  SOLDIERS 
—AFTER  THE  FIRE  OF  4814-PRESIDENT  MONROE'S  FIRST  PUBLIC  RECEPTION- 
LATER  HISTORY-THE  GROUNDS  AND  ROOMS  OF  THE  WHITE  HOUSE-THE  ANNUAL 
EXPENDITURE   FOR  THE   PUBLIC  BUSINESS. 

|HE  plain,  classic  building  in  which  all  the  Presidents  of  the 
United  States,  except  Washington,  have  resided  during  their 
ofificial  terms,  is  always  an  object  of  interest.  The  Executive 
Mansion,  or,  as  every  one  calls  it,  the  White  House,  was  the 
first  public  building  erected  at  the  national  capital,  and  when  the  seat  of 
government  was  transferred  from  Philadelphia  to  Washington,  in  October, 
1800,  President  John  Adams  was  able  to  set  up  his  lares  and  penates 
very  comfortably  in  the  new  official  home.  To  be  sure,  Mrs.  Adams 
complained  that  there  were  no  bells  in  the  great  house  to  summon  the 
servants,  and  that  it  required  many  blazing  fires  to  keep  off  the  dampness, 
but  she  was  well  pleased  with  the  spacious,  elegant  apartments,  and 
diligently  set  to  work,  good  housewife  that  she  was,  to  make  everything 
as  pleasant  as  possible. 

The  White  House  was  designed  and  constructed  by  James  Hoban,  a 
talented  young  architect  who  had  come  to  the  United  States  from  Ireland 
at  the  close  of  the  American  Revolution,  and  had  resided  for  a  while  at 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  before  going  to  Washington.  In  March, 
1792,  the  commissioners  who  had  charge  of  the  new  capital  city  adver- 
tised in  the  New  York  and  Philadelphia  newspapers  for  a  plan  "  for  a 
President's  House,  to  be  erected  in  the  city  of  Washington,"  offering  for 
the  most  approved  plan  "  a  premium  of  ;^500,  or  a  medal  of  that  value,  at 
the  option  of  the  party."  This  liberal  premium,  for  ;^500  was  a  goodly 
sum  in  the  last  century,  brought  out  a  dozen  or  more  of  plans  for  the 
President's  House,  but  the  plan  submitted  by  James  Hoban  was  the 
favored  one.  In  fact,  the  commissioners  were  so  greatly  attracted  toward 
the  bright  young  Irishman,  that  they  not  only  accepted  his  plan  and 
awarded  him  the  premium  (he  took  the  money  and  not  the  medal),  but 
they  gave  him  full  and  absolute  authority  to  construct  the  house  at  a 

157 


158 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


large  salary.  Hoban's  plan  was 
not  original  in  its  main  features. 
He  closely  copied  the  plan  of  the 
palace  of  the  Duke  of  Leinster, 
at  Dublin ;  and  the  White  House, 
as  it  stands  to-day,  is  almost  a 
counterpart  of  that  palace. 


^-.^r/'-'t^.-'*  ^^'''     ,,i.*    ■"••■ 


S^^vf^,.^'^'"' 


-pj- 


'^ 


'■) 


On  the  13th  of  October,  1792, 
the  corner-stone  of  the  White  House 
was  laid  with  Masonic  ceremony. 
Hoban  went  to  work  at  once.  He 
secured  all  the  sandstone  required 
for  the  walls  of  the  building  from  a 
quarry  in  Virginia  (they  didn't  know 
anything  about  marble  in  those  days, 
although  the  hills  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland,  adjacent  to  the  District 
of  Columbia,  were  full  of  this  better 
building  material,  as  was  discovered  some  years  later),  obtained  good 
mechanics  from  New  York  and  elsewhere,  and  for  a  time  made  satis- 
factory progress.  President  Washington  frequently  inspected  the  work 
and  exerted  himself  to  obtain  the  necessary  funds  to  carry  it  on.  The 
commissioners  permitted  Hoban  to  have  his  own  way,  and  he  enjoyed 
the  rare  privilege  of  doing  as  he  thought  best  without  interference. 
But  there  came  a  time  when  the  money  gave  out.  Congress,  sitting  at 
Philadelphia,  rather  sullen  and  displeased  because  the  capital  city  was 
to  be  established  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  simply  for  the  reason  that 


SOUTH   VIEW   OF  THE  WHITE   HOUSE. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


159 


the  Southern  States  had  desired  it,  and  had  consummated  a  legislative 
bargain  to  obtain  their  desire,  flatly  refused  to  make  further  appropriations 
for  the  White  House.  In  consequence  of  this  refusal  the  building  opera- 
tions were  suspended  for  nearly  two  years.  Hoban  went  to  New  York, 
where  there  was  a  demand  for  good  architects,  and  declared  he  would 
never  return.  The  commissioners,  who  were  doing  gratuitous  and  thank- 
less work  in  looking  after  the  interests  of  the  new  national  city,  were 
indignant,  and  one  of  them  resigned,  washed  his  hands  of  "the  whole 
matter,  and  began  to  erect  a  fine  mansion.  At  last  President  Washing- 
ton's influence  prevailed  in  Congress,  and  a  sufficient  sum  was  appro- 
priated to  finish  the  White  House.  Hoban  again  took  charge  of  the 
construction,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  1799  the  building  was  ready  for 
occupancy. 

Up  to  the  time  President  Adams  entered  into  possession  of  the  White 
House  its  cost  had  been  about  ^250,000.  There  is  good  reason  to  believe 
that  Washington  selected  the  site  of  the  building  and  that  he-always  had 
an  ardent  interest  in  its  construction.  He  had  resided  in  small,  incon- 
venient houses  at  New  York  and  Philadelphia  while  President,  and  he 
desired  that  his  successor  and  the  long  line  of  Presidents  to  come  after 
should  be  well  housed.  He  believed  some  of  Hoban's  ideas  of  construc- 
tion and  decoration  were  rather  extravagant,  but  he  gave  way  to  them, 
and  permitted  him  to  complete  unmolested  what  the  satirists  of  that 
period  called  "  The  President's  Palace." 


EAST    ROOM    OF    THE   WHITE   HOUSE. 


l5o  THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

James  Hoban,  whose  name  will  be  forever  connected  with  this  build- 
ing, and  also  with  the  Capitol  as  one  of  its  architects,  became  a  permanent 
resident  of  the  city  of  Washington,  and  followed  his  profession  for  many- 
years  with  distinguished  success.  He  designed  and  constructed  a  number 
of  the  finest  mansions  and  business  buildings,  and  became  a  very  wealthy 
man.  He  was  social  and  hospitable,  went  in  the  best  society,  and  pos- 
sessed in  a  high  degree  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him. 
He  died  December  8,  1 831,  aged  seventy-three,  and  was  buried  in  one  of 
the  city  cemeteries. 

When  John  Adams  and  his  family  first  occupied  the  White  House 
only  six  of  its  rooms  were  furnished.  In  the  great  East  Room,  the 
largest  in  the  house,  were  piles  of  lumber  and  scaffolding,  and  here  where 
so  many  magnificent  fetes  have  been  held  during  the  past  seventy-five 
years,  Mrs.  Adams  had  the  family  linen  spread  out  to  dry  on  wash-days. 
The  grounds  around  the  house  were  in  a  wild,  rough  state,  and  continued 
so  for  many  years.  When  Jefferson  became  President  the  East  Room 
was  completed,  and  during  his  administration  the  house  was  otherwise 
improved. 

In  the  middle  of  President  Madison's  second  term  the  British  troops 
invaded  the  city. and  fired  the  White  House.  After  the  battle  of  Bladens- 
burg,  August  24,  1 8 14,  the  President  left  Washington  for  a  place  of  safety 
in  Maryland,  but  his  wife,  Dolly  Paine  Madison,  remained  in  the  White 
House.  She  had  invited  some  friends  to  a  dinner-party  that  night,  and, 
not  believing  that  the  enemy  would  reach  the  city  before  the  next  day, 
she  went  on  with  her  preparations  for  the  party.  The  guests  were  seated 
at  the  table,  when  a  servant  rushed  in  and  gave  the  startling  intelligence 
that  the  British  were  on  Capitol  Hill,  only  a  mile  and  a  half  away.  Then 
there  was  a  panic.  Men  and  women  left  the  house  without  a  minute's 
delay.  Mrs.  Madison  gathered  a  few  articles  of  clothing,  had  the  horses 
harnessed  to  the  family  carriage,  and  with  her  favorite  serving-woman  was 
driven  across  the  Potomac  to  a  farm-house  in  Virginia.  The  British 
soldiers  arrived  at  the  White  House  about  half  an  hour  after  its  inmates 
had  departed.  On  a  long  table  in  the  East  Room  they  found  a  bountiful 
dinner  set  out.  There  were  meats  and  rich  viands,  fruits,  ices,  and  wines, 
and  the  soldiers  had  a  merry  feast  before  they  applied  the  torch  to  the 
house. 

The  fire  did  little  serious  damage,  as  it  was  speedily  extinguished  by  a 
heavy  rain,  which  began  soon  after  the  soldiers  had  marched  away  and 
continued  all  that  night.  Some  of  the  rooms  were  partially  burned,  and 
others  were  discolored  by  smoke,  but  the  walls  of  the  house  were  very 
little  injured. 


o 

o 


63 


o 
o 


JO 
n 
U. 

X 
o 
o 

3 


O 


9 
O 

o 

3 


>^r^. 


1 1 


i(,i 


II 


1 52  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

When  the  invading  army  had  sailed  down  the  Potomac  the  President 
and  Mrs.  Madison  returned  to  the  city,  taking  up  their  residence  in  the 
large  brick  mansion  known  as  the  Octagon  House,  at  the  corner  of 
Eighteenth  street  and  New  York  avenue,  which  was  erected  by  Colonel 
John  Tayloe  in  1798,  and  is  now  standing  in  a  good  state  of  preservation. 
Here  they  lived  until  Madison's  term  as  President  had  expired,  and  here 
his  successor,  President  Monroe,  also  lived  until  the  winter  of  1817,  when 
the  White  House  was  fully  restored  and  refurnished,  the  work  of  restora- 
tion having  been  done  by  Hoban.  In  the  Octagon  House  the  treaty  of 
Ghent  was  signed,  and  numerous  official  gatherings  and  brilliant  receptions 
were  held. 

On  New  Year's  day,  18 18,  President  Monroe  gave  a  public  reception, 
and  the  National  Intclligciiccr  the  next  morning  said,  "  The  President's 
House  for  the  first  time  since  its  restoration  was  thrown  open  yesterday 
for  the  general  reception  of  visitors.  It  was  thronged  from  12  to  3  o'clock 
by  an  immensely  large  concourse  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  among  whom 
were  to  be  found  the  foreign  ministers,  heads  of  departments,  Senators 
and  Representatives,  and  others  of  our  distinguished  citizens,  residents, 
and  strangers.  It  was  gratifying  to  be  able  to  salute  the  President  of  the 
United  States  with  the  compliments  of  the  season  in  his  appropriate 
residence." 

In  1829,  when  General  Jackson  was  President,  the  grand  portico 
with  tall  Ionic  columns  was  placed  on  the  front  of  the  White  House, 
but  since  then  {^^^  changes  of  importance  have  been  made  to  the  exterior 
of  the  building.  Its  history  since  Jackson's  time  has  been  simply  the 
history  of  its  occupants.  Presidents  have  come  and  gone ;  there  have 
been  scenes  of  gayety  and  scenes  of  gloom, — weddings,  brilliant  festivals, 
and  all  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  high  official  life;  and  intermingled 
with  the  joyful  notes  and  glowing  colors  have  been  the  dark  shades  and 
dismal  tones  of  pain  and  anguish  and  death. 

Up  to  the  present  time  very  nearly  ;$8oo,ooo  have  been  expended  upon 
the  house  in  its  construction  and  ornamentation.  It  has  a  fine  location 
on  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania  avenue,  directly  opposite  the  beau- 
tiful Lafayette  Park.  It  stands  some  distance  from  the  avenue  in  an 
enclosure  of  many  acres.  Around  the  house  is  a  grove  of  tall,  luxuriant 
sycamores,  oaks,  and  poplars,  many  of  which  have  given  grateful  shade 
to  nearly  all  the  Presidents.  On  one  side  is  the  great  Treasury  building, 
and  on  the  other  the  imposing  and  magnificent  State,  War,  and  Navy 
building.  All  these  structures  are  situated  on  the  government  reservation 
designated  as  "  The  President's  Grounds,"  which  extends  to  the  Potomac 
river,  and  is  laid  out  in  an  attractive  manner.     When  the  harbor  improve- 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


163 


ments  are  com- 
pleted there  will 
be  fine  walks  and 
drives  all  through 
this  section,  which 
will  then  be  the 
great  pleasure  re- 
sort of  the  people 
of  Washington. 

The  White 
House  is  built  of 
sandstone,  and  to 
prevent  this  soft,  porous  stone  from  crumbling  and  wearing  away,  it  is 
covered  every  year  with  thick  coats  of  white  paint.  The  house  is  one 
hundred  and  seventy  feet  from  east  to  west,  and  eighty-six  feet  from 
north  to  south.  It  has  two  stories  and  a  basement,  the  latter,  however, 
not  showing  from  the  front,  and  a  broad  balustrade  surmounts  it.  A 
large  portico  is  at  the  main  entrance,  and  a  circular  colonnade  is  on  the 


ROOMS   OF  THE  WHITE   HOUSE. 
I.  Cabinet-Room.  2.  President's  Room. 


164 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


south  side.  From  Pennsylvania  avenue  there  are  two  spacious  drive- 
ways, bordered  with  trees  and  ornamented  with  tropical  plants.  The 
grounds  contain  fountains,  beautiful  beds  of  flowers,  and  luxuriant  lawns, 
and  they  are  open  to  the  public  all  through  the  day.  Plenty  of  com- 
fortable seats  are  provided,  and  every  one  can  enjoy  the  pleasant  sylvan 
tract.  From  the  south  grounds  can  be  obtained  charming  views  of  the 
Potomac  and  the  adjacent  hills  of  Maryland  and  Virginia. 

What  are  called  the  state  parlors  of  the  White  House  are  on  the  first 
floor.  They  consist  of  the  East  Room,  the  Green  Room,  the  Blue 
Room,  and  the  Red  Room.  The  East  Room  is  eighty  feet  long  and 
forty  feet  wide,  but  the  other  parlors  are  much  smaller.  Until  1837  all 
the  state  dinners  were  given  in  the  East  Room,  and  the  official  receptions 
were  held  there.  The  room  is  arranged  somewhat  after  the  ancient  Greek 
style,  and  has  a  very  rich  and  elegant  appearance.  The  ceiling  consists 
of  three  large  exquisitely  decorated  panels,  in  each  of  which  is  a  splendid 
glass  chandelier.  Around  the  room  are  eight  white  mantels  adorned  with 
carvings  in  gold  and  surmounted  by  long  mirrors.  A  thick  Axminster 
carpet  covers  the  floor,  and  the  furniture  is  of  ebony  upholstered  in  plush 
of  old-gold  color.  At  the  doors  and  windows  are  hangings  to  match  the 
upholstery  of  the  furniture.  On  the  walls  are  paintings  of  President 
Washington  and  Martha  Washington. 


CONSERVATORY   OF  THE   WHITE   HOUSE. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


165 


The  Green  Room  has  its  walls  covered  with  paper  of  Nile-green  color, 
with  sprays  of  gold,  and  its  furniture  is  upholstered  in  green  satin.  The 
Blue  Room,  where  the  President  holds  his  state  receptions,  is  oval  in 
shape,  and  its  color  is  that  designated  as  "  robin's-egg  blue."  The  furni- 
ture is  of  gilt  and  blue  silk.  When  the  President  has  a  reception  the 
guests  enter  this  room  from  the  cloak-rooms,  and  are  presented  by  the 
Marshal  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  After  paying  their  respects  to  the 
President  they  retire  to  the  other  state  parlors.  The  Red  Room  has  its 
walls  painted  in  Pompeiian  red,  and  the  ceiling  is  decorated  with  bronze 
and  copper  stars.  At  the  windows  are  crimson  plush  curtains,  and  the 
furniture  is  upholstered  with  the  same  material.  The  room  is  used  as  a 
family  sitting-room  at  night,  and  has  a  very  cheerful  appearance.  Visitors 
to  the  White  House  in  the  daytime  are  allowed  to  enter  the  East  Room 
at  pleasure,  but  the  other  parlors  are  closed,  except  when  an  usher  escorts 
a  party  through  them  at  certain  intervals  during  the  morning  hours. 
When  the  President  entertains,  all  the  parlors  are  profusely  embellished 
with  flowers  and  luxuriant  plants  from  the  White  House  conservatory, 
the  East  Room  in  particular  having  great  masses  of  tropical  plants.  The 
parlors  open  into  a  long  private  corridor,  which  is  separated  from  the 
public  vestibule  by  a  screen  of  jewelled  glass.  The  walls  of  the  corridor 
are  hung  with  portraits  of  the  Presidents. 

Leading  from  the  corridor  is  the  grand  dining-room  in  which  the 
state  dinners  are  given, — the  dinners  to  the  members  of  the  Cabinet,  the 
Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  Senators  and  Representatives,  foreign 
ministers,  and  other  distinguished  persons.  These  dinners  take  place 
once  or  twice  a  week  during  the  winter,  and  are  given  by  the  President 
at  his  own  expense,  no  allowance  being  made  by  Congress  for  them, 
although  they  are  a  necessary  part  of  the  social  life  of  the  White  House. 
All  the  table  service,  the  china,  silver,  and  linen,  is  provided  by  the 
government,  but  the  food  and  wines  are  furnished  by  the  President,  and 
the  expenditure  for  the  dinners  is  very  large,  as  each  dinner  will  cost  the 
greater  part  of  ^lOOO.  Usually  there  are  twelve  courses  served,  and  as 
many  as  fifty-four  guests  can  sit  at  the  table  when  it  is  fully  extended, 
although  generally  there  are  only  from  thirty-six  to  forty  persons  invited. 
The  state  dining-room  is  richly  furnished,  and  when  it  is  lighted  at  night 
by  many  gas-jets  and  wax  candles  has  a  splendid  appearance,  with  its 
table  covered  with  the  state  china  and  silver,  beautiful  floral  designs,  and 
delicious  viands. 

The  second  story  of  the  White  House  contains  the  business  offices  of 
the  President  and  his  private  apartments.  The  library-room,  where  the 
President  receives  his  callers  during  the  day,  and  the  Cabinet-room,  where 


1 66  THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

the  members  of  the  Cabinet  consult  with  the  President  every  Tuesday  and 
Friday,  are  the  principal  public  rooms.  The  library-room  was  furnished 
much  as  it  is  at  present  during  the  administration  of  President  Fillmore, 
and  it  is  stated  that  Mrs.  Fillmore  selected  most  of  the  books  which  fill 
the  cases.  It  is  a  large  oval  room,  with  two  long  windows  looking  out 
upon  the  south  grounds,  and  contains  mahogany  furniture  upholstered  in 
red  leather.  There  are  numerous  bookcases  around  the  room,  and  on  the 
walls  are  paintings  of  the  early  Presidents.  The  President  uses  a  massive 
desk  constructed  of  oak  timber  taken  from  the  ship  "Resolute,"  which  was 
sent  to  the  Arctic  regions  in  1852  by  the  English  government  to  search  for 
Sir  John  Franklin.  The  desk  was  presented  to  the  United  States  by 
England  in  1881,  for  use  in  the  White  House. 

The  Cabinet-room  has  a  long  table,  around  which  the  heads  of  the 
executive  departments  of  the  government  sit  when  they  meet  for  consul- 
tation with  the  President.  At  the  head  of  the  table  the  President  sits,  and 
at  his  right  hand  sits  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  at  his  left  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury. 

It  takes  no  small  sum  to  "  run"  the  White  House.  Yearly  the  ex- 
penses are  very  nearly  ^100,000,  exclusive  of  the  President's  salary  of 
^50,000.  The  private  secretary  to  the  President  has  a  salary  of  ^$3250, 
and  the  assistant  secretary  ;^2250.  Two  executive  clerks  are  employed  at 
salaries  of  ;^2000,  and  there  are  six  other  clerks  who  receive  from  ^1800 
to  ;$I200.  A  short-hand  writer  with  a  salary  of  ;^i8oo  attends  to  the 
President's  correspondence.  The  steward  of  the  house  has  ^1800,  and 
two  day  ushers  have  ^1400  and  ^1200.  Besides  this  force  there  are  five 
messengers,  two  door-keepers,  and  one  night  usher,  whose  salaries  are 
;^I200.  Then  there  is  a  watchman  at  j^qoo  and  a  fireman  at  ^864.  The 
government  furnishes  all  these  employes.  The  cooks  and  dining-room 
and  kitchen  servants  are  paid  by  the  President.  For  the  contingent  ex- 
penses of  the  business  offices,  such  as  stationery,  record  books,  furniture 
and  carpets,  telegrams,  care  of  a  horse  and  carriage,  etc.,  the  sum  of 
;^8ooo  is  annually  appropriated.  It  costs  ^15,000  per  year  to  light  the 
White  House  and  its  grounds.  The  greenhouses  are  maintained  at  an 
expense  of  ^6000.  And  with  all  these  expenses  there  are  others  which 
call  for  the  expenditure  of  about  ;^20,ooo  more.  So  it  will  be  seen  that 
Uncle  Sam's  family  mansion  is  quite  a  costly  institution. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENTS  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT— VARIOUS  FACTS  AND  INTER- 
ESTING DETAILS  OF  THEIR  ORGANIZATION— THE  OFFICIALS  AND  CLERKS-THE 
CIVIL  SERVICE  COMMISSION  AND  ITS  METHODS-HOW  THE  APPLICANTS  FOR  AD- 
MISSION TO  THE  PUBLIC  SERVICE   ARE  EXAMINED. 

j|OCATED  in  the  city  of  Washington  are  the  seven  executive 
departments  of  the  government,  as  follows :  The  Department 
of  State,  the  Treasury  Department,  the  War  Department, 
the  Navy  Department,  the  Post-Office  Department,  the  De- 
partment of  the  Interior,  and  the  Department  of  Justice.  The  heads  of 
these  departments  constitute  the  President's  Cabinet,  and  have  the  title 
of  Secretary,  with  the  exception  of  the  heads  of  the  Post-Ofifice  Depart- 
ment and  the  Department  of  Justice,  whose  titles  are  Postmaster-General 
and  Attorney-General.  The  compensation  of  each  member  of  the  Cabinet 
is  ;^8ooo  per  year.  Besides  the  regular  executive  departments  there  are 
government  bureaus  or  institutions,  such  as  the  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture, the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  National  Museum,  the  Government 
Printing-Office,  and  others,  which  are  managed  by  commissioners  or 
superintendents,  but  are  not  directly  responsible  to  any  of  the  executive 
departments. 

The  State,  War,  and  Navy  Departments  occupy  the  great  and  mag- 
nificent building  on  Pennsylvania  avenue  west  of  the  White  House.  The 
erection  of  this  building  was  begun  in  1871,  and  it  is  not  yet  entirely 
finished.  Up  to  the  present  time  it  has  cost  ;g8,ooo,000,  and  it  is  likely 
that  two  or  three  millions  will  be  expended  to  complete  it.  The  design 
is  a  modification  of  the  Italian  renaissance  order  of  architecture.  The 
architect  was  A.  B.  Mullett.  The  building  is  four  hundred  and  seventy- 
one  feet  long  and  two  hundred  and  fifty-three  feet  wide,  and  is  constructed 
of  granite  from  Maine  and  Virginia  quarries.  When  completed  it  will 
have  four  facades  precisely  alike.  There  will  be  a  grand  entrance  on 
each  fagade.  The  building  has  four  stories  resting  on  a  rustic  basement, 
and  an  imposing  mansard  roof  crowns  the  whole.  The  interior  is  fash- 
ioned in  a  very  handsome  manner.  The  Department  of  State  has  apart- 
168 


FOREIGN   LEGATION    BUILDINGS. 
I.  Russian  Legation.        2.  English  Legation.         3.  Spanish  Legation. 


J-70  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

merits  in  the  south  front,  the  War  Department  in  the  north  front,  and  the 
Navy  Department  in  the  east  front. 

The  Department  of  State  has  the  supervision  of  all  matters  which 
arise  in  the  intercourse  of  the  United  States  with  foreign  governments, 
and  also  with  the  States  of  the  Union.  It  was  created  by  the  First  Con- 
gress in  1789,  and  for  many  years  directed  the  affairs  of  the  territories, 
and  had  charge  of  the  patent  and  copyright  business.  At  present  it 
attends  to  the  publication  and  preservation  of  all  the  acts  of  Congress, 
supervises  the  diplomatic  and  consular  service,  and  performs  other  special 
work.  Besides  the  Secretary  of  State,  who  is  the  leading  member  of  the 
President's  Cabinet,  the  officials  of  the  department  include  three  assistant 
secretaries,  a  chief  clerk,  and  six  chiefs  of  bureaus.  The  first  assistant 
secretary  has  a  salary  of  $4500,  and  the  other  secretaries  ;^3500  each. 
The  chief  clerk  who  directs  the  sixty  or  more  clerks  and  employes  of  the 
department  has  a  salary  of  ^2750,  and  the  chiefs  of  bureaus  have  salaries 
of  ^2100.  There  are  six  bureaus,  viz.,  Diplomatic  Bureau,  Consular 
Bureau,  Bureau  of  Indexes  and  Archives,  Bureau  of  Accounts,  Bureau 
of  Statistics,  and  Bureau  of  Rolls.  The  annual  appropriation  for  the 
department  is  about  ^1,400,000,  of  which  sum  about  $1,200,000  are 
expended  for  the  maintenance  of  the  diplomatic  and  consular  service. 
Every  portion  of  the  state  business  is  regarded  as  confidential,  and  the 
greatest  pains  is  taken  to  prevent  disclosures  of  the  many  affairs  con- 
stantly under  consideration.  When  the  volumes  of  consular  reports  are 
prepared  for  publication,  all  passages  are  omitted  which  might  prove 
embarrassing  to  the  government  or  to  the  consuls.  The  consular  reports 
are  very  popular  with  members  of  Congress,  and  they  send  thousands 
of  copies  to  their  constituents,  particularly  to  persons  interested  in  edu- 
cational matters.  The  reports  contain  a  large  amount  of  information 
concerning  foreign  countries. 

The  "  foreign  intercourse,"  as  it  is  officially  styled,  is  maintained  by 
means  of  thirty-five  legations  and  about  three  hundred  consulates  in  all 
parts  of  the  world.  Twenty-five  foreign  governments  have  legations  in 
Washington.  The  ministers  who  represent  the  United  States  at  what  are 
called  the  first-class  missions,  such  as  those  at  London,  Paris,  Berlin,  and 
St.  Petersburg,  have  salaries  of  $17,500  per  year.  At  the  other  missions 
the  salaries  range  from  $12,000  to  $5000.  The  consuls  have  salaries  from 
$6000  to  $1000. 

All  the  rooms  of  the  Department  of  State  are  elegantly  decorated  and 
furnished.  In  the  department  are  to  be  found  many  valuable  archives  of 
the  government  extending  back  to  the  past  century.  Every  document 
received  by  the  department  is  preserved,  and  can  be  referred  to  when 


^y2  ^-^^^    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

wanted.  The  accumulation  of  papers  is  enormous,  but  the  rooms  of  the 
department  are  spacious  enough  to  contain  all  that  may  be  received  for  a 
hundred  years. 

The  War  Department  occupies  numerous  large  and  handsome  rooms 
in  the  State,  War,  and  Navy  building.  This  department  was  established 
in  1789,  and  has  charge  of  all  the  military  affairs  of  the  government. 
Besides  this  work  it  has  the  supervision  of  all  the  improvements  made  to 
the  rivers  and  harbors  of  the  United  States,  and  has  also  the  charge  of  the 
weather  service,  the  military  asylums  and  cemeteries,  and  many  public 
works.  It  also  supervises  the  government  surveys  and  explorations.  A 
vast  business  is  done  and  a  vast  sum  expended.  Nearly  thirty  millions 
of  dollars  are  disbursed  every  year  for  the  army  and  its  adjuncts,  and 
nearly  as  much  more  for  other  purposes.  The  department  has  the  follow- 
ing divisions :  Office  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  Headquarters  of  the 
Army,  the  departments  of  the  Adjutant-General,  Inspector-General, 
Quartermaster-General,  Commissary-General,  Surgeon-General,  and  Pay- 
master-General ;  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  the  Ordnance  Department,  the 
Bureau  of  Military  Justice,  the  Signal  Office  or  Weather  Bureau,  the 
Bureau  of  War  Records,  and  sundry  other  divisions.  All  the  sub-depart- 
ments are  directed  by  army  officers  of  high  rank,  and  have  many  clerks 
and  employes.  In  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  War  there  are  a  chief 
clerk  with  a  salary  of  ;$2500,  a  disbursing  clerk  with  ;^2000,  three  chiefs 
of  divisions  with  ^2000  each,  and  about  seventy  clerks.  The  Adjutant- 
General,  Inspector-General,  Quartermaster-General,  Paymaster-General, 
Commissary-General,  Judge-Advocate-General,  the  Chief  of  Engineers, 
the  Chief  Signal  Officer,  and  the  Chief  of  Ordnance  have  salaries  of 
;^5500.     The  Surgeon-General  has  ;^4500. 

The  army  of  the  United  States  consists  of  ten  cavalry  regiments,  five 
artillery  regiments,  and  twenty-five  infantry  regiments.  There  are  also 
several  detached  forces  employed  in  the  signal  service,  hospital  duty,  etc. 
.The  entire  military  force  amounts  to  2143  officers  and  23,335  enlisted 
men.  The  troops  are  stationed  in  three  military  divisions,  as  follows  : 
Division  of  the  Missouri,  under  the  command  of  Major-General  John 
Pope,  with  headquarters  in  Chicago;  Division  of  the  Atlantic,  under  the 
command  of  Major-General  Winfield  S.  Hancock,  with  headquarters  in 
New  York;  Division  of  the  Pacific,  under  the  command  of  Major-General 
John  M.  Schofield,  with  headquarters  in  San  Francisco.  Each  division  is 
divided  into  departments  commanded  by  brigadier-generals.  By  law  the 
number  of  major-generals  is  limited  to  three,  and  the  number  of  brigadier- 
generals  to  six.  The  brigadier-generals  are  Oliver  O.  Howard,  Alfred  H. 
Terry,  Christopher  C.  Augur,  George  Crook,  Nelson  A.  Miles,  and  Ronald 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


173 


S.  Mackenzie.  There  are  sixty-six 
colonels,  eighty-five  lieutenant-col- 
onels, two  hundred  and  forty-three 
majors,  and  six  hundred  and  three 
captains. 

The  general  in  command  of  the 
army  is  Lieutenant-General  Philip 
H.  Sheridan,  who  assumed  command 
November  i,  1883,  upon  the  retire- 
ment of  General  William  T.  Sherman. 
His  pay  is  ;^  13,500  per  year  for  the 
first  five  years,  after  which  it  is 
increased.  The  army  headquarters 
are  in  the  State,  War,  and  Navy  building. 

For  the  first  five  years  of  service  the  major-generals  are  paid  ^7500 
per  year;  brigadier-generals,  ^5500  ;  colonels,  ^3500  ;  lieutenant-colonels, 
^3000;  majors,  $2500;  captains,  from  ;^i8oo  to  ;^2000  ;  and  lieutenants, 
from  ^1400  to  ^1600.  After  five  years  the  pay  of  all  officers  is  increased 
from  ten  to  forty  per  cent.,  according  to  the  length  of  service.  Retired 
officers  have  three-quarters  pay.  Private  soldiers  are  paid  ;^ 1 3  per  month. 
The  Navy  Department  has  very  elegant  suites  of  rooms.  All  the 
affairs  pertaining  to  the  navy  are  directed  by  this  department.      About 


NAVAL  OBSERVATORY,  SHOWING  THE  GREAT 
EQUATORIAL  TELESCOPE. 


jy.  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

fifteen  million  dollars  are  expended  yearly  for  the  naval  force,  ships  of 
war,  etc.  In  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  there  are  many 
clerks  and  employes.  The  department  has  the  following  bureaus :  Bureau 
of  Yards  and  Docks,  Bureau  of  Navigation,  Bureau  of  Ordnance,  Bureau 
of  Provisions  and  Clothing,  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  Bureau  of 
Construction  and  Repairs,  Bureau  of  Equipment  and  Recruiting,  and 
Bureau  of  Steam-Engineering.  All  the  bureaus  are  directed  by  naval 
officers. 

At  present  the  naval  force  consists  of  1948  officers  and  7500  enlisted 
men.  There  are  also  750  boys  or  apprentices.  The  marine  corps  at- 
tached to  the  navy  consists  of  2028  officers  and  men.  There  are  forty- 
five  steam-vessels,  fourteen  wooden  sailing-vessels,  nineteen  iron-clads, 
two  torpedo-rams,  and  sixteen  tugs.  Steel  ships  of  the  best  quality  are 
in  process  of  construction. 

The  admiral  in  command  of  the  navy  is  Admiral  David  D.  Porter, 
who  assumed  the  position  October  17,  1870.  His  pay  is  ^13,000  per 
year.     The  office  of  the  admiral  is  in  the  State,  War,  and  Navy  building. 

There  is  a  vice-admiral,  whose  pay  is  ;^9000  per  year  when  at  sea,  and 
;^8ooo  when  on  shore  duty.  Seven  rear-admirals  and  twenty-one  com- 
modores are  on  the  active  list.  Rear-admirals  receive  $6000  and  com- 
modores ^5000  when  at  sea,  and  ^looo  less  when  on  shore.  Captains 
are  paid  ^4500,  commanders  ^3500,  and  lieutenant-commanders  ;^3000. 

The  Treasury  Department  occupies  an  immense  freestone  and  granite 
building  situated  on  Pennsylvania  avenue  at  Fifteenth  street.  The  build- 
ing is  four  hundred  and  sixty  feet  long  and  two  hundred  and  sixty-four 
feet  wide.  Very  nearly  ^8,000,000  have  been  expended  upon  its  con- 
struction. The  main  building  was  completed  in  1841,  Robert  Mills 
being  the  architect.  In  1869  the  extensions,  designed  by  Thomas  U. 
Walter,  were  completed.  The  Treasury  Department  has  charge  of  the 
financial  affairs  of  the  government,  and  has  other  duties.  It  was  estab- 
lished in  1789  by  the  First  Congress.  The  various  divisions  of  the 
department  are  as  follows:  Office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury; 
offices  of  the  First  Comptroller,  the  Second  Comptroller,  the  Commis- 
sioner of  Customs,  the  Commissioner  of  Internal  Revenue,  the  Treasurer 
of  the  United  States,  the  Register  of  the  Treasury,  the  Comptroller  of 
the  Currency,  the  Director  of  the  Mint,  the  Auditors,  the  Supervising 
Architect  of  Public  Buildings,  the  Light-House  Board,  the  Bureau  of 
Statistics,  the  Bureau  of  Engraving  and  Printing,  the  Life-Saving  Service, 
the  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey,  the  Secret  Service,  the  Revenue  Cutter 
and  Marine  Hospital  Service,  etc.  Each  division  has  a  large  force  of 
officials  and  clerks,  and  the  total  salary  list  of  the  department  amounts 


-9 

EC 

R 

►d 
O 
ir. 
H 

6 

o 

w 


176 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


to  $3,000,0CX)  per  year.  In  the  Treasury  building  there  are  nearly  3000 
persons  employed,  and  several  of  the  divisions,  with  many  employes,  are 
located  elsewhere  in  Washington. 

The  Post-Office  Department  has  its  offices  in  a  marble  building,  which 
covers  an  entire  square,  bounded  by  Seventh,  Eighth,  E,  and  F  streets. 
The  building  was  erected  in  1839,  and  extended  in  1855.  The  architects 
were  Robert  Mills  and  Thomas  U.  Walter.  Over  ;^2,ooo,000  were  expended 
in  the  construction.  The  Postmaster-General  supervises  the  postal  service 
and  appoints  the  postmasters  whose  salaries  are  not  more  than  ;^iooo  per 
year.  Postmasters  whose  salaries  exceed  ;^iooo  are  appointed  by  the 
President.  Three  assistant  postmasters-general  with  salaries  of  ^4000 
have  charge  of  the  various  divisions  of  the  department.  There  are 
51,000  post-offices  in  the  United  States,  and  the  yearly  expenditure  for 
the  postal  service  is  over  ;$50,ooo,000. 

The  Department  of  the  Interior  has  the  following  divisions :  The 
Patent  Office,  the  Pension  Office,  the  General  Land  Office,  the  Bureau 
of  Indian  Affairs,  the  Bureau  of  Education,  the  Geological  Survey,  the 
Census  Office,  and  the  office  of  the  Commissioner  of  Railroads.  The 
department  was  established  in  1849.  Several  of  the  divisions  occupy  the 
large  marble  and  granite  building  called  the  Patent  Office,  which  is  situ- 
ated on  the  square  extending  from  Seventh  to  Ninth  street,  and  from  F 
to  G  street.  The  Pension  Office,  which  now  occupies  buildings  on 
Pennsylvania  avenue,  will  soon  have  possession  of  the  capacious  building 
in  process  of  erection  for  it  on  Judiciary  Square.  The  Department  of  the 
Interior  has  charge  of  many  important  interests  of  the  government,  and 
a  large  force  of  officials  and  clerks  is  required  to  carry  on  its  business. 

The  Department  of  Justice  was  established  in  1870.  It  has  charge 
of  all  the  United  States  courts  and  all  the  law  business  of  the  govern- 
ment. The  offices  of  the  department  are  in  a  brownstone  building  on 
Pennsylvania  avenue  near  Fifteenth  street.  The  first  story  of  the  building 
is  occupied  by  the  Court  of  Claims. 

In  the  various  branches  of  the  public  service  in  Washington  there  are 
15,000  persons  employed.  Of  this  number  there  are  nearly  6000  clerks 
who  are  included  within  the  civil  service  law.  The  officials  and  certain 
employes  of  the  government,  such  as  short-hand  writers,  translators,  con- 
fidential clerks,  cashiers,  and  persons  occupying  positions  of  trust,  are 
not  within  the  law. 

The  civil  service  commissioners  have  a  suite  of  rooms  in  the  second 
story  of  a  small  brick  building  adjacent  to  that  occupied  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture.  There  are  three  commissioners,  who  receive  salaries 
of  $3500,  and  are  also  allowed  their  expenses  when  travelling  on  business. 


12 


178 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


The  ofifice  force  consists  of  a  chief  examiner  with  a  salary  of  $3000,  a 
secretary  with  ;^i6oo,  and  several  clerks.  There  are  ten  examiners  for  the 
general  service  in  the  executive  departments,  and  eleven  special  examiners, 
all  of  whom  are  selected  from  the  department  officials  in  Washington,  and 
receive  no  extra  compensation.  There  are,  besides,  examining  boards  at 
the  various  post-offices  and  custom-houses  in  the  United  States.  The 
yearly  expense  of  this  new  branch  of  the  public  service  is  about  ;^24,ooo. 

The  civil  service  act  went  into  practical  operation  July  16,  1883.  By 
it  all  appointments  to  clerkships  in  the  seven  executive  departments  in 
Washington  where  the  salary  is  not  less  than  j^poo  nor  more  than  $1800 
per  year,  and  to  subordinate  places  in  the  postal  and  customs  service 
throughout  the  country,  under  certain  limitations,  are  made  as  the  result 
of  a  system  of  examinations  int.ended  to  ascertain  the  fitness  of  those 
persons  who  seek  to  be  employed  by  the  government.  Any  citizen  of 
the  United  States  who  is  within  the  limit  as  to  age  can  apply  for  a  position 
in  the  departmental  service  or  in  the  postal  or  customs  service,  go  before 
the  civil  service  commission  for  examination,  and,  if  he  passes  the  exam- 
ination, is  eligible  to  office.  Not  the  slightest  "  influence"  is  needed ;  no 
solicitation  on  the  part  of  any  one  has  any  weight  or  is  of  any  advantage. 
Every  applicant  has  to  work  his  own  way,  so  to  speak,  and,  although 
there  is  a  little  "  luck"  in  the  matter,  as  will  be  described  farther  on,  if  he 
is  meritorious  he  has  a  fair  chance  of  obtaining  what  he  desires.  So  very 
little  is  known  of  the  method  employed  in  carrying  out  the  civil  sei-vice 
act,  that  it  may  be  of  interest  and  value  to  describe  in  detail  the  process 
by  which  a  person  is  enabled  to  enter  that  "  fertile  field"  (in  popular  esti- 
mation) known  as  government  service. 

Whenever  a  man  or  woman  desires  to  obtain  a  place  in  the  departmental 
service  of  the  government,  the  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  send  to  the  civil 
service  commission  for  an  application  paper.  Only  this  and  nothing  more. 
It  is  not  necessary,  as  many  seem  to  think,  to  write  a  long  letter  giving  a 
minute  description  of  qualifications  for  the  service,  and  stating  that  they 
have  had  this  and  that  experience,  and  can  give  this  and  that  reference. 
A  few  lines  on  a  postal  card  are  enough.  By  return  mail  an  application 
paper  will  be  sent,  and  this  paper  will  give  full  information  of  the  course 
of  procedure.  Persons  not  under  eighteen  nor  over  forty-five  years  of  age 
are  eligible  for  the  departmental  service,  but  limitations  of  age  do  not 
apply  to  "persons  honorably  discharged  from  the  military  or  naval  service 
of  the  country,  who  are  otherwise  qualified."  The  application  paper 
contains  blanks  in  which  are  to  be  written  the  name,  age,  residence,  and 
occupation  of  the  applicant,  and  sundry  other  facts  of  consequence.  The 
statements  have  to  be  sworn  to  before  an  official  qualified  to  administer 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


179 


THE   NEW    PENSION   BUILDING. 


an  oath,  and  confirmed  by  the  vouchers  of  three  persons.  No  recom- 
mendations outside  of  these  vouchers  as  to  character  and  capacity  are 
allowed.  When  the  applicant  has  properly  filled  out  the  application 
paper,  it  should  be  mailed  to  the  commission  at  Washington.  If  the 
commission  finds  the  paper  to  be  proper  in  form,  the  applicant's  name  is 
entered  upon  the  record,  and  his  paper  is  filed.  A  short  time  before  an 
examination  is  to  be  held  the  applicant  will  receive  an  official  notice  to  be 
present  at  any  of  the  places  designated.  Armed  with  this  notice,  and  with 
the  consciousness  that  he  "  knows  something,"  the  applicant  can  present 
himself  to  the  examining  board  at  the  place  he  has  chosen  and  meet 
his  fate. 

Examinations  are  held  in  Washington  and  in  various  other  cities  of 
the  country  at  such  times  as  the  commissioners  may  think  proper.  There 
are  three  kinds  of  examinations, — limited,  general,  and  special.  For 
ordinary  clerkships  and  subordinate  positions  in  the  departments  the 
limited  and  general  examinations  apply;  for  positions  requiring  technical 
knowledge  and  skill  special  examinations  only  are  held.  The  limited 
examination,  which  is  intended  mainly  for  copyists,  messengers,  and  other 
subordinate  employes,  is  very  simple.  Two  subjects  only  are  used.  The 
applicant  has  to  copy  a  few  sentences  from  dictation  and  a  few  sentences 
from  a  printed  form,  in  order  to  show  his  penmanship  and  orthography ; 
then  he  is  required  to  work  out  several  examples  in  addition,  subtraction, 


l8o  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

multiplication,  and  division,  none  of  which  are  much  beyond  the  capacity 
of  a  ten- year  old  child.  The  general  examination  has  five  subjects,  with 
from  three  to  five  questions  to  a  subject.  The  first  subject  is  similar  to 
that  of  the  limited  examination ;  the  second  subject  embraces  examples 
in  the  fundamental  principles  of  arithmetic,  fractions,  and  percentage ;  and 
the  third  subject,  examples  in  interest,  discount,  and  elements  of  book- 
keeping and  of  accounts.  The  two  other  subjects  in  .■  questions  of 
grammar  and  of  the  history,  geography,  and  government-  of  the  United 
States.  This  examination  is  the  one  taken  by  the  majority  of  applicants 
for  government  service,  as  success  in  it  makes  a  person  eligible  to  a  ^1200 
clerkship,  from  which  may  come  promotion  to  places  worth  ;^I400,  ^1600, 
or  ^1800  a  year. 

In  this  examination  questions  like  the  follonmg  have  to  be  answered: 
"  Divide  three-fourths  of  eight-ninths  by  one-seventh  of  three-fifths,  and 
subtract  one-seventh  from  the  quotient."  "  Divide  one  thousand  and 
eight  and  three  one-thousandths  by  three  and  eight  one-hundredths,  ex- 
pressing the  process  in  decimal  fractions."  "  A  note  for  ^$2647.34  is 
payable  elevei  months  from  date  with  interest  at  3^  per  cent.  What  will 
be  the  amount  due  on  the  note  at  maturity  ?  Give  all  the  figures  in  the 
operation."  "  A  disbursing  agent  failed,  owing  the  government  one  item 
of  ^308.45,  another  of  ^2901.02.  The  government  agrees  to  make  a  dis- 
count of  13  per  cent,  on  the  first  item  and  ii^  per  cent,  on  the  second. 
How  much  was  payable  under  the  agreement?"  "  The  compensation  of 
a  clerk,  beginning  June  30,  was  ;^  133.33  ^  calendar  month.  On  the  ist  of 
October  his  salary  was  increased  15  per  cent.,  and  so  remained  until  June 
I,  when  it  was  increased  a  further  amount  of  3  per  cent,  on  the  original 
salary.  What  was  the  whole  amount  payable  to  the  clerk  for  the  year  ?" 
"  Give  a  definition  of  a  verb,  a  noun,  an  adverb,  an  adjective,  a  preposition, 
a  conjunction,  and  of  the  phrase,  *  the  grammar  of  the  English  language,'  " 
"  Which  states  extend  to  or  border  on  the  sea  or  tide-water  ?  What  is  the 
capital  of  each  of  said  states  ?"  "  What  is  meant  in  our  history  by  the 
colonial  period  ?  by  the  Continental  Congress  ?  by  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence ?  by  the  emancipation  proclamation  ?"  The  questions  are 
different  at  each  examination,  but  they  always  follow  the  grade  estab- 
lished. Each  question  is  printed  at  the  head  of  the  examination  paper, 
and  only  one  subject  at  a  time  is  given  out  by  the  examiners.  The 
candidates  sit  at  small  desks,  and  are  allowed  not  more  than  five  hours 
to  solve  the  problems.  The  examination-room  in  Washington  has  all 
the  appearance  of  a  school-room.  The  desks  and  chairs  are  plain  and 
simple,  and  there  is  accommodation  for  a  "  class"  of  seventy-five  or 
eighty  persons. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


i8i 


« 


GOVERNMENT   HOSPITAL 
FOR   THE   INSANE. 


The  technical  or  special  examinations  embrace  a  wide  range  of  subjects. 
Applicants  for  the  position  of  pension  examiner  are  examined  in  orthog- 
raphy, penmanship,  letter-writing,  arithmetic,  geography  and  history,  the 
pension  laws,  rules  of  evidence,  and  competency  of  witnesses,  and  in 
anatomy  and  hygiene.  Applicants  for  positions  as  examiners  in  the  patent 
office  are  examined  in.  mathematics  to  trigonometry,  and  in  chemistry, 
physics,  technics,  the  interpretation  of  mechanical  drawings,  and  French 
and  German.  Each  applicant  receives  a  drawing  of  an  invention,  and  is 
required  to  fully  describe  it.  French  and  German  patent  specifications 
have  to  be  translated.  The  examination  in  mathematics,  physics,  and 
chemistry  bears  directly  upon  the  practical  work  of  a  patent  examiner. 
The  questions  in  physics  touch  those  principles  of  physics  necessary  to 
explain  patents.  Those  examined  for  the  position  of  mechanical  draughts- 
man have  a  model  from  the  patent  office  placed  before  them,  and  are 
required  to  make  a  complete  drawing  of  it,  and  then  to  describe  it  in  detail 
and  explain  its  mode  of  operation  and  the  class  of  machines  to  which  it 
belongs.  Afterwards  they  are  required  to  describe  technical  drawings, 
methods  of  shading  to  represent  different  surfaces,  principles  of  perspec- 
tive, and  what  are  known  as  mechanical  devices.  Those  who  desire  to 
become  copyists  of  drawings  have  to  make  a  tracing  of  a  drawing  shaded 
in  India  ink,  to  illustrate  the  methods  of  shading  concave  and  convex 
surfaces,  and  to  describe  the  views  in  the  drawings  used.  Those  examined 
for  the  position  of  assistant  in  the  scientific  library  of  the  patent  office, 
whose  duty  it  is  to  search  foreign  patent  records  and  scientific  publications 


jg2  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

in  order  to  ascertain  whether  or  not  a  patent  appHed  for  here  has  been 
previously  patented  or  described  in  any  other  country,  have  to  translate 
French  and  German  patent  records,  abridge  and  index  patent  specifications, 
classify  patents  according  to  the  arts,  perform  some  exercises  to  illustrate 
the  use  of  the  card  catalogue,  etc. 

At  the  close  of  each  examination,  limited,  general  or  special,  the  ex- 
aminers take  all  the  papers,  look  them  over  carefully,  and  determine  the 
standing  of  each  applicant  in  the  subjects.  The  examination  papers  of 
each  applicant  are  marked  only  with  a  number,  and  his  name  is  not  known 
to  the  examiners,  thus  preventing  any  favoritism.  Every  applicant  must 
have  an  average  standing  of  65  per  cent,  in  the  subjects  in  which  he  is 
examined  to  become  eligible  to  appointment.  Those  fortunate  enough  to 
reach  this  grade  are  notified  by  the  commissioners,  and  their  names  are 
recorded  in  the  list  of  "  eligibles ;"  the  others  have  their  labor  for  their 
pains.  The  commissioners  prepare  the  rules  and  regulations  and  all  the 
questions  used  in  the  examinations,  and  have  general  charge  of  all  matters 
arising  from  the  civil  service  business.  They  do  not  conduct  the  examina- 
tions or  mark  the  grade  of  persons  examined,  but  they  revise  and  finally 
decide  as  to  the  work  of  all  the  examiners. 

Whenever  the  head  of  a  department  wishes  to  fill  a  vacancy  in  his 
clerical  force,  he  sends  a  letter  to  the  commissioners  informing  them  of 
the  fact,  and  the  commissioners  immediately  send  to  that  department  four 
names  taken  from  those  having  the  highest  grade  on  the  list  of  eligibles. 
The  names  are  taken  according  to  a  just  apportionment  to  the  various 
states  and  territories,  the  idea  being  not  to  allow  one  section  of  the 
country  to  have  more  appointments  than  it  is  entitled  to  by  reason  of  its 
population.  With  the  names  are  sent  the  examination  papers  of  each 
applicant,  in  order  that  the  appointing  officer  of  the  department  may 
examine  them  before  he  takes  his  choice  of  the  four  names.  The  right 
of  selection  is  possessed  by  the  appointing  officer,  and  he  can  take  any 
name  from  those  furnished,  or  he  can  reject  them  all  and  call  for  more  if 
he  chooses.  If  the  examination  papers  of  an  eligible  are  especially  neat 
and  correct ;  if  they  show  he  has  a  good  practical  way  of  doing  things, 
he  may  be  selected  at  once,  even  if  his  grade  is  not  as  high  as  the  others. 
If  an  appointing  officer  takes  an  unaccountable  "  fancy"  to  a  certain  name, 
he  may  select  it.  Sometimes  the  last  name  of  the  four  will  be  selected 
instead  of  the  first,  or  the  second,  or  the  third.  The  civil  service  com- 
missioners have  nothing  to  do  with  this.  All  that  they  can  do  is  to  send 
the  names  to  the  department  for  the  choice  to"  be  made.  When  the 
appointing  officer  has  made  his  choice,  he  notifies  the  commissioners, 
and  the  fact  is  entered  in  the  record  book.      The   department  sends  a 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


183 


notice  to  the  person  selected  that  he  has  been  appointed  to  a  certain 
clerkship,  and  that  he  must  report  for  duty.  The  new  clerk  goes  on 
probation  for  six  months,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  if  he  has 
given  satisfaction,  his  appointment  is  confirmed,  and  he  can  remain  in  the 
government  service  as  long  as  he  gives  no  cause  for  dismissal. 

Each  eligible  can  be  certified  twice  to  each  department  for  appoint- 
ment, but  no  more ;  and  often  names  will  go  the  rounds  of  the  depart- 
ments before  they  are  selected,  and  sometimes  they  are  not  selected  at 
all.  Some  men  are  so  "  lucky"  that  they  step  at  once  into  good  places, 
while  others  have  to  possess  their  souls  in  patience  and  wait  and  wait, 
and  even  then  are  not  rewarded.  The  rule  is  to  keep  the  names  of  those 
persons  who  are  eligible  for  appointment  on  the  record  of  the  commis- 
sion for  two  years,  during  which  time  there  will  be  a  constant  chance  of 
appointment.  When  four  names  are  sent  to  the  head  of  a  department, 
and  one  is  selected,  the  other  three  do  not  fall  back,  but  they  keep  their 
rank  at  the  front  and  are  sent  up  again  at  the  next  call. 

The  question  is  often  asked  if  the  commissioners  invariably  select 
four  names  from  those  having  the  highest  standing  on  the  record  of 
examinations.  This  is  not  possible  under  the  law  of  apportionment  to 
the  various  states  and  territories.  For  instance,  if  the  quota  of  New 
York  is  full,  no  more  names  can  be  taken  from  that  state,  and  the  com- 


GOVERNMENT    PRINTING-OFFICE. 


1 84 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


missioners  are  compelled  to  take  the  names  of  persons  from  other  states 
who  may  not  be  graded  so  high  as  those  from  New  York.  Sometimes 
an  eligible  will  make  complaint  that,  although  he  was  graded  at  90  per 
cent.,  another  person  who  was  graded  at  only  70  per  cent,  has  been 
appointed  before  him.  The  reason  is  because  of  the  apportionment  law, 
and  the  law  often  causes  a  good  deal  of  trouble. 


i  Mp- 


CHAPTER    XV. 

SKETCHES  OF  GOVERNMENT  INSTITUTIONS— BUREAU  OF  ENGRAVING  AND  PRINTING 
AND  ITS  WORK— REDEMPTION  DIVISION  OF  THE  TREASURY- THE  SOLDIERS* 
HOME-THE  NAVAL  OBSERVATORY- DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE— THE 
WEATHER  BUREAU— DEAD-LETTER  OFFICE— THE  SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION 
AND   NATIONAL  MUSEUM— VARIOUS   MATTERS   OF   INTEREST. 

LL  the  paper  money  issued  by  the  government  is  printed  at 
the  Bureau  of  Engraving  and  Printing,  vyhich  is  part  of  tlie 
Treasury  Department  and  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  Up  to  i88o  the  government 
money  was  printed  in  the  Treasury,  but,  in  order  to  reUeve  the  over- 
crowded condition  of  that  institution,  Congress  authorized  the  erection 
of  the  large  brick  building  in  which  the  Bureau  of  Engraving  and 
Printing  is  now  located.  The  building  is  situated  at  the  southern  end  of 
Fourteenth  street,  and  is  finely  arranged  for  the  purposes  of  the  business. 
It  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  ;$367,ooo.  Here  the  plates  for  the  notes, 
bonds,  and  internal  revenue  stamps  of  the  United  States,  and  the  plates 
for  the  national  bank-notes  are  engraved  in  the  finest  and  most  acctjrate 
manner  by  a  force  of  skilful  engravers,  some  of  whom  have  been  engaged 
in  this  special  work  for  well  nigh  half  a  century;  and  here  also  all  the 
national  currency  is  printed  and  prepared  for  use.  The  building  is  filled 
with  busy  employes,  men  and  women,  there  being  about  twelve  hundred 
in  all,  and  a  great  amount  of  work  is  done  every  day  in  all  the  divisions 
of  the  bureau. 

In  one  recent  year  the  bureau  completed  and  delivered  nearly  nine 
million  sheets  of  notes  and  securities,  with  a  face  value  of  two  hundred 
and  sixty-eight  millions  of  dollars.  There  were  also  completed  twenty- 
one  million  sheets  of  stamps,  containing  480,506,878  stamps,  and  a  large 
amount  of  miscellaneous  work,  such  as  checks,  drafts,  etc.  The  bureau 
expends  about  one  million  dollars  a  year  for  labor  and  material,  and  of 
this  amount  over  $800,000  are  expended  for  labor  alone.  Every  day 
notes  of  the  value  of  $250,000  are  completed.  The  notes,  and  in  fact  all 
the  valuable  sheets  of  paper,  are  counted  thirty-five  or  forty  times,  at 
186 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


187 


DEPARTMENT   OF   AGRICULTURE. 


different  stages  of  the  work,  before  they  are  allowed  to  leave  the  bureau, 
and  if  there  is  an  error  it  can  be  traced  in  a  very  few  minutes.  Every 
person  who  handles  a  sheet  of  notes  puts  a  private  mark  on  it.  After 
the  notes  are  completed  they  are  sent  to  the  Treasury  building  m  iron 
wagons  closely  guarded.  When  they  are  received  by  the  Treasury 
offidals  they  are  again  counted  before  being  deposited  in  the  great 
money  vaults.  Every  precaution  is  taken,  and  it  is  rarely  that  there  is 
an  error  made  in  handling  the  millions  of  dollars  printed  in  the  bureau. 
When  the  bureau  is  closed  for  the  night,  all  the  engraving  plates  and 
rolls,  and  all  the  sheets  of  notes,  stamps,  and  securities,  are  carefully 
counted  and  verified  and  safely  deposited  in  the  vaults  before  any  of  the 
employes  are  permitted  to  leave  the  building. 

All  the  specially  prepared  fibre  paper  used  in  the  printing  of  notes 
and  bonds  comes  from  the  Treasury  upon  requisition,  and  the  purpose 
for  which  the  paper  is  required  has  to  be  clearly  stated  before  it  is 
delivered  by  the  Treasury  officials.  When  the  paper  is  received  at  the 
bureau,  the  sheets  are  carefully  counted  by  ladies  employed  solely  for 
this  purpose.  If  the  sheets  are  found  to  be  correct,  a  receipt  is  given  for 
the  face  value  of  them  after  they  have  been  turned  into  money.  They 
are  then  given  into  the  hands  of  the  plate-printers,  who  print  the  notes 


1 88  THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

four  on  a  sheet.  After  the  printing  the  notes  are  lettered  and  numbered 
by  machines,  and  then  the  seal  of  the  government  is  stamped  on  them  in 
red  ink.  The  sheets  are  then  cut  and  trimmed,  the  notes  are  again 
counted,  and  then  they  are  made  up  in  packages  to  be  sent  to  the 
Treasury. 

The  portraits,  vignettes,  and  other  engraved  work  used  upon  the  notes 
and  bonds  are  executed  in  the  highest  style  of  the  engraving  art.  The 
bureau  has  the  best  engravers  in  their  several  specialties  of  letter,  orna- 
mental, and  portrait  work  to  be  found  in  the  country.  They  receive  large 
pay  and  retain  their  positions  for  years.  No  portraits  of  living  persons 
are  placed  on  the  notes  or  bonds. 

The  bureau  has  in  its  possession  about  40,000  pieces  of  engraved  steel 
used  in  printing  notes  and  bonds.  They  are  deposited  in  two  immense 
vaults,  which  are  in  charge  of  officials  specially  appointed  by  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury  to  have  the  custody  of  this  valuable  stock.  The  vaults 
are  made  of  steel,  and  are  burglar-  and  fire-proof  The  doors  have  com- 
bination and  time  locks.  Each  piece  of  stock  taken  from  the  vaults  to  be 
used  for  any  purpose  is  charged  to  the  division  using  it,  and  must  be  re- 
turned before  night.  The  engravers  are  carefully  supervised  by  special 
officers,  and  in  fact  in  every  portion  of  the  bureau  all  means  that  human 
ingenuity  can  devise  are  employed  to  prevent  unlawful  use  of  the  dies  and 
plates,  and  loss  in  handling  the  vast  amount  of  money  yearly  printed. 

The  national  bank  redemption  division  of  the  Treasury  Department 
has  some  interesting  features.  The  employes,  some  sixty  in  number,  are 
mostly  ladies,  who  count  and  sort  the  worn-out  bank-notes  sent  to  the 
Treasury  for  redemption.  From  sixty  millions  to  two  hundred  and  forty 
millions  of  dollars  are  handled  every  year  in  this  division,  and  during  the 
past  ten  years  notes  of  the  value  of  ;^  1,39 1,494,237  have  been  redeemed. 
After  the  notes  are  carefully  counted  and  examined,  those  that  are  unfit 
for  further  service  are  destroyed  by  maceration  in  the  basement  of  the 
Treasury  in  the  presence  of  a  committee  of  officials.  The  paper  pulp  re- 
maining is  afterwards  used  in  the  manufacture  of  a  coarse  grade  of  paper. 
Formerly  it  was  the  practice  to  burn  the  notes  in  a  great  furnace,  but  the 
maceration  process  was  found  to  be  the  most  efficient.  Very  often  national 
banks  send  more  money  than  they  mark  on  the  outside  of  the  packages, 
and  nearly  as  often  they  send  less.  In  ten  years  the  "  overs"  amounted  to 
^170,800,  and  the  "shorts"  to  $135,843.  Whenever  there  is  an  "over" 
or  a  "  short,"  the  bank  sending  the  package  is  promptly  notified  and  the 
mistake  is  corrected. 

Money  partially  destroyed  by  fire  is  often  sent  for  redemption.     It  is 
examined  by  lady  experts,  who  will  take  a  charred  package  of  notes  and. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


189 


by  skilfully  inserting  a  long,  thin  knife,  chip  off  the  outer  layer,  which  will 
expose  either  the  face  or  back  of  the  next  note.  The  whole  package  will 
thus  be  carefully  examined,  and  by  certain  distinguishing  marks  the  experts 
are  enabled  to  obtain  the  knowledge  of  the  value  of  the  notes. 

The  Soldiers'  Home,  which  is  in  charge  of  a  board  of  army  officers  of 
high  rank,  is  situated  a  {q\^  miles  from  Washington,  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  District  of  Columbia.  It  was  established  by  act  of  Congress  in 
1 85 1  at  the  suggestion  of  General  Winfield  Scott,  who  labored  earnestly 
for  its  interests.  At  this  institution  the  soldiers  of  the  army  of  the  United 
States  who  have  performed  service  for  twenty  years  can  reside  without 
cost  during  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Those  disabled  in  service  are 
also  entitled  to  a  residence.  A  tax  of  twelve  cents  a  month  is  assessed  on 
each  soldier  during  his  time  of  service  in  the  army  to  aid  in  paying  the 
expenses  of  the  institution.  There  are  usually  about  five  hundred  resi- 
dents of  this  beautiful  estate.  The  main  building  is  of  white  marble,  and 
there  are  several  other  buildings  of  the  same  material.  The  grounds  are 
five  hundred  acres  in  extent,  and  are  laid  out  in  an  attractive  manner  and 
covered  with  groves  of  oak-trees.  A  bronze  statue  of  General  Scott,  by 
Launt  Thompson,  stands  in  a  conspicuous  place  on  the  grounds.    Adjacent 


THE   SMITHSONIAN   INSTITUTION. 


190 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


STATUE  OF   PROF.  JOSEPH    HENRY,  ON   SMITHSONIAN 
GROUNDS. 

to  the  main  building  there  is  a  pretty  cottage  set  apart  as  a  summer  resi- 
dence for  the  Presidents  of  the  United  States.  The  estate  is  open  to  the 
public  and  is  a  favorite  place  of  resort  in  the  vernal  season.  The  home 
has  a  fund  of  over  a  million  dollars,  and  a  large  yearly  income  from 
various  sources. 

The  Naval  Observatory  is  situated  in  the  westerly  part  of  Washington, 
on  a  government  reservation  which  extends  to  the  Potomac  river.  It  is 
under  the  supervision  of  a  rear-admiral  of  the  navy,  and  is  famous  all 
over  the  world  for  its  astronomical  work,  which  is  performed  by  a  corps 
of  distinguished  astronomers.  The  observatory  has  a  great  equatorial 
telescope,  which  cost  nearly  ;^50,000.  Its  object  glass  is  twenty-six 
inches  clear  aperture,  and  its  focal  length  thirty-two  and  one-half  feet. 
The  instrument  is  placed  in  a  large  iron  dome. 

The  Department  of  Agriculture  occupies  many  acres  of  the  mall,  and 
has  a  large  brick  building  and  gardens  for  the  growing  of  plants.  It  is 
not  one  of  the  regular  executive  departments  of  the  government,  but  is  a 


THE   NATIOh'AL    CAPITAL. 


191 


bureau  in  charge  of  a  commissioner  with  a  salary  of  ^4500,  It  has  a  large 
force  of  specialists,  who  devote  themselves  to  investigations  of  agricul- 
tural matters,  and  the  information  gained  is  diffused  throughout  the 
country  by  means  of  reports.  The  department  building  was  erected  in 
1868,  at  a  cost  of  about  ^200,000.  Adjacent  to  it  are  large  plant-houses 
in  which  rare  tropical  plants  are  grown.  The  seed  division  of  the  depart- 
ment employs  nearly  two  hundred  men  and  women,  at  certain  seasons, 
in  assorting  and  packing  bushels  of  seeds  of  various  sorts,  which  are  sent 
out  to  the  farming  regions  all  over  the  country.  Great  quantities  of 
seeds  are  raised  by  the  department,  and  great  quantities  are  purchased. 
Farmers  are  supplied  with  seeds  for  corn,  wheat,  cotton,  tobacco,  hemp, 
flax,  and  jute,  and  with  seeds  for  garden  vegetables  and  flowers.  Many 
rare  foreign  seeds  are  also  supplied.  The  department  issues  annually  a 
voluminous  report  in  book  form,  with  many  illustrations,  which  is  circu- 
lated to  the  extent  of  300,000  copies.  The  beautiful  gardens  and  lawns 
of  tiie  department,  filled  with  rare  flowers  and  aromatic  plants,  are  very 
attractive. 

The  Signal  Office  is  located  in  a  brick  building  on  G  street.  The 
"  weather  service"  is  the  special  work  of  this  bureau.  Throughout  the 
country  there  are  stationed  nearly  three  hundred  men,  who  are  members 
of  the  signal  corps  of  the  army.  Their  duty  is  to  make  precise  and 
accurate  observations  of  the  weather  in  their  districts  three  times  each 
day,  and  to  send  the  record  of  the  observations  to  the  bureau  at  Wash- 
ington. The  facts  thus  obtained  are  charted  upon  a  specially  prepared 
map,  and  this  map  becomes  a  per- 
fect photograph  of  the  condition 
of  the  weather  at  a  certain  time  all 
over  the  United  States.  The  map 
is  carefully  studied  by  an  officer  at 
the  Signal  Office,  and  the  predic- 
tions as  to  the  weather  are  made 
upas  the  result  of  this  study.  The 
weather  observations  are  taken  at 
all  the  stations  in  the  country  at 
precisely  the  same  minute  of  "Wash- 
ington time, — at  7  a.m.,  3  p.m.,  and 
1 1  P.M.  The  government  owns  and 
operates  several  thousand  miles  of 
telegraph  lines,  which  are  used  by 
the  weather  observers  to  send  their 
reports.      The  bureau  was  created 


-^fe.-v4 


PROF.   SPENCER    F.   BAIRD,  SECRETARY   OF   THE 
SMITHSONIAN   INSTITUTION. 


ig2  ^'^^  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

in  1870,  but  it  v>  is  not  until  1874  that  the  weather  service  was  performed 
upon  an  extended  scnlc. 

The  dead-letter  office  of  the  Post-Office  Department  has  been  called 
"  a  monument  to  the  carelessness  and  stupidity  of  the  American  people." 
It  is  a  curious  institution.  It  occupies  a  spacious  apartment  of  the  post- 
office  building,  and  has  over  one  hundred  employes,  who  are  busily 
engaged  day  by  day  in  opening  letters  and  packages  which  have  gone 
astray  in  the  mails.  About  15,000  "dead"  letters  are  received  every  day 
from  the  post-offices  of  the  country,  and  these  letters  contain  all  sorts  of 
things.  Many  thousands  of  dollars  are  discovered  in  the  letters  each 
year.  If  an  address  is  found,  the  letters  and  packages  are  forwarded  at 
once  to  their  owners,  but  a  good  portion  of  the  dead  mail  finds  its  way  to 
the  depository  for  waste  paper,  is  cut  into  shreds,  and  sold  to  paper  mills. 

The  patent  office  as  it  is  at  present  was  established  in  1836.  Previous 
to  that  year  only  about  10,000  patents  had  been  issued  in  this  country, 
but  since  then  there  have  been  over  300,000  issued.  The  office  yearly 
issues  about  21,000  patents,  and  usually  has  a  surplus  fund  of  over  $100,000 
after  all  the  expenses  are  paid.  There  is  at  present  in  the  Treasury  of 
the  United  States  a  balance  on  account  of  the  patent  fund  of  ;^2,782,ooo. 
The  model  museum  of  the  patent  office  contains  many  thousands  of  patent 
models,  embracing  mechanical  devices  of  every  description.  There  are 
four  great  halls  devoted  to  the  models. 

The  pension  office  is  the  most  important  bureau  of  the  Department  of 
the  Interior.     There  are  at  present  on  the  rolls  of  the  office  322,756  pen- 
sioners, classified  as  follows:   218,956  army  invalids,  75,836  army  widows, 
minor  children,  and  dependent  relatives;  2616  navy  invalids,  1938  navy 
widows,  minor  children,  and  dependent  relatives ;   3898  survivors  of  the 
war  of  18 1 2,  and   19,512  widows  of  those  who  served  in  that  war.     The 
average  value  of  each  pension  is  ^106.75,  and  the  aggregate  value  of  all 
pensions  is  ;^34,456,6oo.     Every  year  sixty  millions  of  dollars  are  paid  for 
pensions.    This  amount  is  greater  than  the,  aggregate  value  of  all  pensions, 
because  it  includes  first  payments,  known  as  arrears  of  pensions,  which  in 
some  cases  amount  to  several  thousand  dollars  to  a  pensioner.     During 
1884  over  twenty-seven  million  dollars  were  paid  to  new  pensioners.     Since 
1 86 1  there  have  been  filed  927,922  claims  for  pensions,  and  nearly  550,000 
claims  have  been  allowed.     There  has  been  disbursed  to  pensioners  since 
1 861  the  immense  sum  of  $680,000,000. 

In  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States  there  is  a  fund  of  $703,000, 
which  is  held  in  trust  for  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  This  fund  was 
bequeathed  to  the  United  States  by  James  Smithson,  an  English  gentle- 
man, "  to  found  at  Washington,  under  the  name  of  the  Smithsonian  In- 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


193 


THE   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

stitution,  an  establishment  for  the  increase  and  diffusion  of  knowledge 
among  men."     The  bequest  was  received  in  1838,  and  in  1856  the  build- 
ino-  known  as  the  Smithsonian  Institution  was  finished.     It  stands  on  a 
portion  of  the  mall  designated  as  "  the  Smithsonian  grounds,"  and  is  of 
red  sandstone.     It  is  four  hundred  and  fifty  feet  long  and  one  hundred  and 
forty  feet  wide,  and  has  nine  towers.     The  style  of  architecture  is  the 
ancient  Norman.     The  building  contains  offices  for  the  employes  of  the 
institution,  and  also  a  large  museum  of  natural  history.     On  the  grounds 
near  the  building  is  a  bronze  statue  of  Professor  Joseph  Henry,  by  W.  W. 
Story  which  was  erected  by  the  government,  at  a  cost  of  $15,000,  and 
unveiled  on  April   19,  1883.     Professor  Henry  was  the  first  secretary  of 
the  institution.     The  yearly  receipts  of  the  institution  from  interest  on  its 
fund  and  other  sources  are  about  $45,000.     The  income  is  expended  m 
scientific  investigations,  which  are  embodied  in  reports  published  m  vol- 
umes entitled  "The  Smithsonian   Contributions  to  Knowledge."     These 
volumes  are  sent  to  the  leading  scientific  societies  throughout  the  world. 

In  connection  with  the  Smithsonian  Institution  is  the  National  Museum, 
which  contains  large  collections  of  industrial  products,  historical  relics, 
and  ethnological  objects.  The  museum  was  established  by  the  govern- 
ment in  1876,  and  is  rapidly  becoming  one  of  the  greatest  exhibitions  in 

13 


194 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


V'i 

'A 


THE   SIGNAL   OFFICE   OR    WEATHER    BUREAU. 


the  world.  The  build- 
ing which  it  occupies  is 
situated  near  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution,  and 

is  constructed  of  bricks,  profusely  decorated  with  various  enamelled  colors. 
There  are  many  spacious  halls  for  exhibition  purposes  within  the  building. 
Liberal  appropriations  are  made  by  Congress  for  the  museum,  and  in  the 
course  of  a  few  years  it  will  be  worth  a  journey  across  the  continent  to 
inspect  this  gigantic  "  world's  fair."  The  secretary  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institution  is  Professor  Spencer  F.  Baird,  and  he  is  also  the  director  of  the 
National  Museum. 

The  Government.  Printing-Office  is  located  in  a  large  brick  building  on 
North  Capitol  street.  About  2500  persons  are  employed  in  this  office  in 
printing  and  binding  the  various  publications  of  the  government,  and 
yearly  over  ;^2,ooo,000  are  expended  for  the  work.  The  office  is  supplied 
with  the  best  material,  and  much  of  its  work  is  of  a  high  order.  The 
establishment  is  in  charge  of  an  official  whose  title  is  Public  Printer. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

HISTORIC  ARLINGTON-THE  LARGEST  OF  THE  NATIONAL  MILITARY  CEMETERIES- 
EARLY  HISTORY  OF  THE  BEAUTIFUL  ESTATE-JOHN  CUSTIS  AND  HIS  DESCEND- 
ANTS-GEORGE WASHINGTON  PARKE  CUSTIS-GENERAL  ROBERT  E.  LEE'S  LIFE 
AT  ARLINGTON-THE  CUSTIS  MANSION-THE  GREAT  BURIAL-FIELDS-O'HARA'S 
POEM,  "THE  BIVOUAC  OF  THE   DEAD." 

lEVV  Southern  people  who  visit  the  city  of  Washington  fail  to 
go  to  historic  Arlington,  where  General  Robert  E.  Lee  and 
his  interesting  family  passed  so  many  happy  years  before 
CTrim-visaged  war  made  them  exiles  from  the  beautiful  estate. 
People  from  all  parts  of  the  South  seem  to  revere  this  home  of  the  great 
Confederate  soldier,  and  they  love  to  walk  through  the  rooms  of  his 
quaint  old  mansion,  and  to  sit  in  the  shade  of  the  noble  oaks  which  cover 
the  grounds.  And  thousands  of  people  from  the  East  and  West,  of  all 
classes  and  conditions,  year  by  year  go  to  this  place  with  reverent  feeling, 
for  it  is  indeed  hallowed  ground,— it  is  the  last  resting-place  of  a  mighty 
host  who  laid  down  their  lives  for  their  country.  Arlington  contains  the 
laro-est  and  most  important  of  the  eighty-two  military  cemeteries  estab- 
lished throughout  the  United  States  by  the  government,  and  the  graves 
of  over  16,000  soldiers  of  the  Civil  War  are  in  its  enclosure.  The  ceme- 
tery is  in  charge  of  a  gallant  veteran  of  the  war,  and  a  considerable  force 
of  laborers  is  constantly  employed  in  adorning  and  improving  the  grounds, 

jn  making  these  sacred  burial-fields  as  beautiful  and  attractive  as  the 

hio-hest  skill  and  a  lavish  expenditure  can  accomplish.  The  estate  is 
situated  directly  opposite  Washington,  on  the  Virginia  bank  of  the 
Potomac,  and  the  Lee  mansion,  surrounded  by  luxuriant  groves,  is  on 
an  elevation  of  two  hundred  feet,  so  that  it  can  be  plainly  seen  from  many 
parts  of  the  city.  On  a  bright,  clear  day  the  huge  portico  of  the  mansion, 
with  its  eight  classic  columns,  stands  out  very  distinctly,  and  one  would 
hardly  think  there  was  a  mile  of  water  between  the  mansion  and  the  city. 
The  estate  comprises  11 60  acres,  mostly  good  arable  land,  and  it  is  part 
of  a  grant  of  6000  acres  which  was  made  by  Sir  William  Berkeley,  one 
of  the  royal  governors  of  Virginia,  to  Robert  Howson  during  the  reign 

19s 


196 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


ARLINGTON    MANSION 


of  George   II.      Hovvson   is   credited   with 
having    afterward    disposed    of    the    entire 


grant  for  six  hogsheads  of  tobacco. 


The 


present  ArHngton  estate  was  purchased  for  i^i  1,000  by  John  Custis,  the 
great-grandfather  of  George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  in  the  early  part 
of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  continued  in  the  possession  of  his  de- 
scendants until  it  was  acquired  by  the  government.  About  two  hundred 
acres  are  used  for  the  military  cemetery;  the  remainder  is  used  for  the 
Fort  Myer  signal  station,  and  for  a  sort  of  desultory  farming  by  negro 
squatters. 

John  Custis,  who  first  gave  the  name  of  Arlington  to  this  fine  estate, 
was  a  member  of  one  of  the  first  families  of  the  Old  Dominion.  He  was 
a  planter  of  many  broad  acres  in  addition  to  this  property,  and,  according 
to  tradition,  a  rather  obstinate,  choleric  worthy,  given  to  great  admiration 
for  his  own  opinions  and  little  tolerant  of  the  opinions  or  desires  of  others. 
He  married  the  daughter  of  Colonel  Daniel  Parke,  a  distinguished  Vir- 
ginian, She  was  a  haughty  beauty  with  a  very  bad  temper,  and  John 
was  warned  that  she  was  not  the  proper  mate  for  him ;  but,  lover-like, 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


197 


ardent  with  affection  and  desire,  he  paid  no  attention  to  the  warnincr,  and 
declared  that  to  possess  her  was  heaven  enough.  But  the  beauty  havin^, 
it  is  hkely,  much  the  same  disposition  as  his  own,  gave  him  no  taste  of 
paradise  in  his  married  Hfe.  He  was  an  unhappy  husband,  and,  when  his 
wife  died  at  Arhngton,  he  could  scarcely  repress  his  joy  long  enough 
to  go  through  with  the  customary  forms  of  grief.  She  left  a  son  and 
daughter,  and  they  caused  the  father  a  good  deal  of  trouble.  The 
daughter  fell  in  love  with  an  officer  in  the  English  army,  and  secretly 
married  him,  much  to  the  father's  disgust;  and  the  son,  a  handsome, 
gallant  fellow,  refused  to  look  at  a  high-born  girl  with  great  expectations 
who  had  been  selected  for  his  bride,  and  instead  paid  court  to  Martha 


^^'l_^    -G/\MfIj/4  k^Tip- 
/^^"raE  :BlVbl/AO  Op  THE 

:**  "it* 


'^ 


nf|*J.^^~ 


BURIAL-FIELD  AT   ARLINGTON — TOMB   OF  UNKNOWN   SOLDIERS. 


ipS 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


Dandridge,  the  acknov/ledged  belle  of  the  little  town  of  Williamsburg, 
Virginia,  where  the  royal  governors  resided. 

Daniel  Parke  Custis  was  the  name  of  the  young  man  who  appreciated 
the  grace  and  comeliness  of  the  Williamsburg  belle,  who  was  destined  to 
fill  a  prominent  place  in  the  history  of  the  country,  and  he  was  cour- 
ageous enough  to  declare  to  his  father  that  he  should  marry  her  if  she 
would  have  him.  The  daughter's  choice  had  disgusted  John  Custis,  but 
the  choice  made  by  his  son  infuriated  him.  In  his  passion  he  declared 
that  his  son  should  not  have  one  acre  of  the  many  hundreds  he  possessed, 
and  he  made  a  will  leaving  his  entire  estate  to  a  negro  servant,  and  cutting 
off  his  son  with  the  traditional  shilling.  One  day  Martha  Dandridge  met 
old  Custis  at  a  social  gathering,  and  fairly  captivated  him  by  her  conver- 
sation, full  of  sense  and  wit,  by  her  tact  and  gracious  manner,  by  her 
modesty  and  sweetness.  From  that  moment  he  withdrew  his  opposition, 
and  even  went  so  far  as  to  say  that  if  Daniel  didn't  marry  her  he  should, 
for  such  a  charming  woman  mustn't  go  out  of  the  family. 

Daniel  Parke  Custis  and  Martha  Dandridge  were  married,  and  John 
Custis  gave  them  a  good  farm  on  the  Pamunkey  river,  in  Virginia,  to  live 
on.  When  he  died,  it  was  found  that  he  had  left  a  will,  bequeathing  the 
Arlington  estate  to  his  son  Daniel,  and  also  the  Pamunkey  estate,  called 
the  "  White  House  farm,"  and  several  other  properties.  In  his  will  he 
directed  his  son,  under  penalty  of  disinheritance,  to  have  his  body  placed 
in  a  white  marble  tomb,  which  should  bear  an  inscription  he  had  written 
with  the  intention  of  permanently  recording  his  unhappy  married  life. 
The  tomb  was  built  and  inscribed  as  he  liad  directed.  The  inscription  is 
so  unique  that  it  may  be  well  to  give  it  here.     It  is  as  follows : 

Under  This  Marble  Tomb  Lies  The  Body 

of  the  Hon,  John  Custis,  Esq., 

Of  the  City  of  Williamsburg 

And  Parish  of  Bruton, 

Formerly  of  Hungar's  Parish  On  The 

Eastern  Shore 

Of  Virginia,  and  County  of  Northampton, 

Aged  71  years,  and  yet  lived  but  seven  years,  which 

was  the  space  of  time  he  kept 

A  Bachelor's  Home  At  Arlington. 

The  rear  of  the  tomb  is  inscribed :    This  inscription  put  on  his  tomb 
was  by  his  own  positive  orders. 

Daniel  and  Martha  Custis  lived  happily  on  the  White  House  farm 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


199 


GRAVE   OF  JOHN   HOWARD   PAYNE   AT   OAK    HII.L  CEMETERY. 


until  the  death  of  old  Custis,  and  then  they  took  up  their  residence  at 
Arlington,  living  in  a  plain  wooden  house,  which  was  removed  when  the 
present  mansion  was  erected.  Daniel  was  a  lover  of  gay  company,  and 
entertained  liberally.  He  was  an  enthusiastic  .sportsman,  followed  the 
hounds  every  season,  and  thoroughly  enjoyed  all  the  pleasures  of  the  field. 
He  was  a  worthy  gentleman,  a  devoted  husband  and  father.  His  estate 
was  large  and  profitable,  and  he  was  ranked  among  the  most  opulent 
planters  of  eastern  Virginia.  He  died  before  he  was  thirty-five,  leaving 
two  children,  a  boy  and  a  girl,  to  the  care  of  his  young  widow.  Arling- 
ton was  left  by  will  to  the  boy,  John  Parke  Custis,  and  the  White  House 
estate  to  the  girl,  Eleanor  Custis.     The  remainder  of  Daniel's  property, 


200  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

valued  at  about  ;^  100,000,  was  bequeathed  to  his  widow  for  her  sole  use 
and  benefit. 

The  widow  Custis  was  the  guardian  of  her  children's  property,  and 
she  was  considered  the  richest  widow  in  that  section  of  the  state.  She 
was  plump  and  pretty,  still  in  the  flush  of  youth,  of  a  lively  nature,  and 
very  popular  in  society.  After  her  period  of  mourning,  she  opened  her 
house  to  company,  and  also  visited  a  good  deal  at  the  houses  of  the  Vir- 
ginia gentry.  At  one  of  these  houses  she  was  introduced  one  day  to  a 
young  officer  who  had  achieved  considerable  distinction  in  the  campaigns 
of  General  Braddock.  This  was  Colonel  George  Washington.  He  was 
scarcely  thirty,  and  a  very  impressionable  young  man,  having  had  one  or 
two  love-affairs  which  had  not  "  run  smooth."  When  he  met  the  widow 
Custis  it  was  a  clear  case  of  love  at  first  sight.  He  made  haste  to  woo 
and  win  her,  and  for  once  in  his  life  he  forgot  the  call  of  duty  when  by  her 
side.  They  had  a  blithesome  wedding  at  the  White  House  farm,  and 
passed  their  honeymoon  there,  going  to  Washington's  Mount  Vernon 
estate  some  months  after  to  reside  permanently.  The  two  Custis  children 
lived  at  Mount  Vernon,  and  their  estates  were  cared  for  by  Washington. 
The  Arlington  estate  was  especially  cared  for,  as  it  was  regarded  as  a  fine 
property,  and  one  that  in  time  would  be  of  very  great  value.  The  Arling- 
ton slaves,  a  goodly  number,  were  retained  on  it,  and  set  to  work  in  the 
cultivation  of  wheat,  Indian  corn,  and  tobacco,  and  large  crops  of  these 
staples  were  raised.  Washington  was  often  on  the  estate  directing  the 
agricultural  operations,  and  Martha  Washington,  who  had  a  warm  affection 
for  the  lovely  place,  had  a  small  summer-house  erected  on  the  high  bank 
overlooking  what  is  now  the  capital  city,  where  she  was  accustomed  to  sit 
on  pleasant  afternoons  when  she  visited  Arlington.  This  summer-house 
is  said  to  have  been  located  directly  on  the  spot  where  now  the  great  staff 
bearing  the  flag  of  the  United  States  is  placed. 

On  many  an  afternoon  Washington  and  his  wife  have  sat  on  this  bank, 
elevated  two  hundred  feet  above  the  river,  looking  at  the  charming  view, 
a  view  that  Lafayette  once  said  was  the  finest  he  had  ever  seen.  Below 
the  long,  sloping  bank  with  its  luxuriant  emerald  covering,  the  placid 
Potomac  widens  until  it  is  a  mile  in  breadth,  and  then  it  gracefully  curves 
to  the  southward,  glistening  in  the  sunshine.  Great  stretches  of  thickly- 
wooded  hills  border  a  wide,  undulating  plain,  on  which  the  capital  city 
rests,  and  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach  is  a  panorama  of  rare  loveliness. 
Conspicuous  on  the  farther  bank  of  the  river  is  the  tall,  massive  shaft  of 
marble  which  has  been  raised  to  the  memory  of  Washington,  and  two 
miles  away  the  magnificent  Capitol  shows  clearly  on  its  hill-top. 

John   Parke   Custis   grew  to   manhood,  but    his    sister    Eleanor   died 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  201 

when  but  seventeen.  The  boy  was  petted  and  almost  spoiled  'by  his 
mother,  and  his  illustrious  stepfather  gave  him  as  much  attention  as  he 
would  have  given  his  own  son.  He  married  a  member  of  the  Calvert 
family  of  Maryland,  and  at  the  battle  of  Yorktovvn  was  an  aide-de-camp 
to  Washington.  Shortly  after  the  battle  he  died  of  fever,  and  Washington 
then  adopted  regularly  and  formally  his  two  infant  children, — George 
Washington  Parke  Custis  and  Nelly  Custis,  but  had  them  retain  their 
family  name.  They  became  the  children  of  Mount  Vernon,  and  for  many 
years  gladdened  and  brightened  the  home  of  Washington.  Their  grand- 
mother idolized  them,  and  he  who  was  destined  to  have  no  child  of 
his  own — the  Father  of  his  Country — loved  them  with  a  deep,  strong 
affection.  Nelly  Custis  grew  to  be  a  most  beautiful  woman,  and  is  said 
to  have  been  a  perfect  image  of  her  grandmother,  "  the  belle  of  Williams- 
burg," as  she  was  in  her  youth.  She  married  Major  Lawrence  Lewis, 
and  from  this  union  came  the  distinguished  Lewis  family  of  Virginia. 
George  Washington  Parke  Custis  remained  at  Mount  Vernon  until  he 
reached  his  majority,  when  he  took  possession  of  his  inheritance, — the 
Arlington  estate.  At  the  death  of  Martha  Washington  he  also  inherited 
the  White  House  farm  on  the  Pamunkey  river. 

When  Custis  came  into  possession  of  Arlington  he  immediately  began 
the  erection  of  a  grand  mansion  on  the  brow  of  the  hill.  He  made  the 
designs  for  it,  and  expended  a  good  deal  of  money  in  its  construction. 
Its  portico  was  fashioned  in  imitation  of  that  of  a  famous  temple  near 
Naples.  Custis  occupied  the  mansion  early  in  1803,  when  he  was  a  little 
more  than  twenty-one  years  old.  He  kept  bachelor's  hall  for  a  year  or 
so,  and  then  married  Mary  Lee  Fitzhugh,  whose  mother  was  a  Randolph. 
Four  children  were  born  to  him,  all  girls,  but  only  one  survived  infancy. 
Custis  was  always  known  as  the  "child  of  Mount  Vernon,"  and  was  held 
in  special  regard  and  even  reverence  on  account  of  his  intimate  connection 
with  Washington  as  his  adopted  child.  His  life  at  Arlington  extended  to 
1857,  when  he  died,  the  last  male  of  his  family.  His  wife  died  in  1853, 
and  the  graves  of  the  couple,  side  by  side,  can  be  seen  in  the  southerly 
part  of  the  Arlington  grounds. 

George  Washington  Parke  Custis  is  well  remembered  by  many  resi- 
dents of  the  District  of  Columbia.  He  was  a  finely-formed  man,  of 
medium  height,  and  had  a  bright,  intelligent,  rather  handsome  face,  and 
a  clear,  florid  complexion.  His  forehead  was  high  and  broad,  his  eyes 
blue  and  sparkling,  and  he  was  always  attired  with  scrupulous  care  and 
neatness.  Genial  and  courteous,  yet  not  familiar,  he  was  at  times  a  little 
aristocratic  in  manner.  From  childhood  he  had  lived  in  high  and  dis- 
tinguished society,  and  at  Arlington  he  entertained  some  of  the  foremost 


202  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

men  of*  the  day.  In  1824  Lafayette  visited  him,  and  he  had  seen  the 
great  Frenchman  at  Mount  Vernon  as  far  back  as  1784.  He  was  a  poet 
and  a  painter,  wrote  plays  for  the  amusement  of  his  friends,  and  had 
considerable  gift  as  an  orator.  He  lacked  the  spur  of  necessity  to  develop 
his  literary  and  artistic  talent.  For  years  he  was  engaged  in  painting  a 
series  of  battle  scenes  portraying  the  military  life  of  Washington, — a  series 
which  would  have  been  very  valuable  in  a  historical  sense,  as  he  had 
had  such  rare  opportunities  to  gather  accurate  material;  but  the  paintings 
were  never  finished,  and  came  to  naught.  He  had  a  royal  income  from 
his  landed  property,  and  lived  the  easy,  comfortable  life  of  a  rich  Virginia 
planter,  enjoying  his  beautiful  home  and  taking  pleasure  in  his  social 
circle. 

At  one  time  Custis  developed  much  enthusiasm  for  sheep-raising, 
obtained  a  flock  of  blooded  merinos,  and  sought  to  arouse  interest  among 
the  planters  of  his  neighborhood  in  the  subject.  He  offered  prizes  for 
the  best  sheep,  and  appointed  a  day  for  an  annual  exhibition  at  Arlington. 
This  exhibition  was  called  the  "  Arlington  sheep-shearing,"  and  was  held 
on  the  lawn,  near  what  is  known  as  the  "  Custis  spring."  After  the  prizes 
were  distributed,  a  dinner,  chiefly  composed  offish  caught  in  the  Potomac, 
was  served  in  a  large  tent,  used  by  Washington  during  the  Revolution. 
Custis'  interest  in  sheep  died  out  after  a  few  years,  and  the  flock  of 
merinos  dwindled  to  two,  and  these  were  allowed  to  run  over  the  hills  as 
they  pleased. 

His  only  child,  Mary  Randolph  Custis,  was  a  buxom  lass,  with  a 
handsome  face  something  like  his  own.  In  childhood  her  favorite  play- 
fellow was  the  youngest  son  of  Governor  Henry  Lee,  who  lived  at  Strat- 
ford house,  in  Westmoreland  county,  Virginia.  Governor  Lee  had  been 
an  intimate  friend  of  Washington,  had  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war 
with  him,  and  at  the  Congressional  funeral  ceremony  delivered  the 
oration,  in  which  were  those  famous  words,  "  First  in  war,  first  in  peace, 
first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen."  The  boy  and  girl  friendship 
ripened  into  love,  and  when  young  Robert  Edward  Lee  went  to  West 
Point  in  1825  for  a  military  education,  at  the  expense  of  the  State  of 
Virginia,  he  left  behind  him  at  Arlington  a  sweetheart  who  was  eventu- 
ally to  be  his  wife.  In  1832,  Lieutenant  Lee  was  married  to  Mary 
Custis.  When  her  father  died  he  left  her  the  Arlington  estate  for  life. 
After  her,  it  was  to  descend  to  her  eldest  son. 

The  life  of  the  Lee  family  at  the  Arlington  home  was  an  exceedingly 
pleasant  one.  For  years  before  Custis  died,  his  soldier  son-in-law,  wife, 
and  children  lived  in  the  ol'd  mansion  by  his  request.  Lee  was  frequently 
away   upon   military   duty,   but  at  every   opportunity  hastened   back   to 


•^^vFiT^v^ 


VIEWS   AT  THE   SOLDIERS'   HOME. 


204 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


Arlington  and  his  growing  family,  for  he  was  domestic  in  his  tastes,  and 
dearly  loved  those  who  were  bound  to  him  by  the  ties  of  affection,  and 
he  also  loved  the  fair  and  fertile  acres  washed  by  the  Potomac.  He  was 
simple  in  all  his  habits,  liked  to  live  quietly  and  plainly,  enjoyed  romping 
with  his  children,  and  they  often  said,  "  Father  is  as  good  as  a  boy  to  play 
with."  The  rigorous  artificial  customs  of  army  life  never  seemed  to 
change  his  disposition,  and  he  was  always  a  singularly  pure,  unaffected, 
sincere  man.  He  had  the  best  of  health,  was  never  sick,  never  used 
liquor  or  tobacco,  and  enjoyed  life  in  a  hearty,  wholesome  way.  He  was 
tall,  and  his  rather  grave  face  was  lighted  by  clear  blue  eyes,  which  would 
show  a  good  deal  of  roguish  fun  at  times.  He  had  black  hair,  a  close-cut 
beard  and  moustache,  which  afterward  turned  to  snowy  white.  He  had 
a  gentle,  but  firmly  persuasive  manner,  and  few  could  resist  him.  One  of 
his  sons  has  said  that  his  father  liked  to  have  his  own  way,  and  generally 
had  it,  but  he  was  never  obstinate,  never  in  a  passion,  and  always  was 
kind  and  courteous  in  enforcing  his  orders.  He  managed  the  Arlington 
estate  admirably,  and  took  great  delight  in  agricultural  operations.  Few 
men  could  drive  a  mule  as  well  as  he  could,  and  it  was  no  uncommon 
thing  for  him  to  be  out  all  day  with  a  mule  team  working  in  the  field. 

Mrs.  Lee  was  an  excellent  wife.  She  understood  her  husband  perfectly, 
and  fully  believed  in  him,  and  their  companionship  was  of  the  truest  and 
best  kind  all  through  their  married  life.  She  was  very  amiable, — a  chatty, 
bright,  lively  woman,  finely  educated,  a  great  reader,  and  an  earnest  worker 
for  the  welfare  of  her  family.  There  were  six  children,  three  boys  and 
three  girls,  and  they  helped  to  make  up  a  home  circle  that  for  a  long  time 
was  as  delightful  as  any  in  Virginia,  and  one  that  was  undisturbed  by  rude 
shocks  and  cares.  Colonel  Lee,  for  that  was  his  military  title  then,  had  a 
marked  religious  proclivity,  and  in  his  family  and  in  all  his  daily  walks 
endeavored  to  carry  out  Christian  principles  by  an  exact  measure.  The 
Bible  was  closely  studied,  family  worship  was  always  maintained,  and  he 
was  careful  to  impress  upon  the  minds  of  his  children  the  need  and  im- 
portance of  a  true  Christian  life.  Mrs.  Lee  for  a  number  of  years  was 
earnest  in  aiding  church  enterprises,  and  did  a  great  deal  toward  sustain- 
ing several  churches  in  the  section  in  which  they  lived  and  also  in  the  city 
of  Washington.  Sunday  was  strictly  observed  on  the  estate.  No  work 
was  ever  allowed  to  be  done,  and  on  many  a  Sunday  afternoon  Colonel 
Lee,  Bible  in  hand,  discoursed  earnestly  and  thoughtfully  upon  the  truths 
of  religion  to  his  negro  servants  and  others  gathered  in  a  grove  on  the 
grounds.  The  servants  adored  their  good  master  and  mistress,  for  they 
always  had  kind  treatment,  and  were  sure  of  sympathy,  of  patient  attention 
in  the  time  of  sickness  and  trouble. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


205 


Some  of  these  servants  are  still  living  on  and  around  the  Arlington 
property,  and  they  tell  many  stories  of  "  Massa  Lee"  and  "  Missy  Lee," 
of  their  kindnesses,  gentle  forbearance,  and  tender  spirit.  "  Dey  was  de 
best  folks  in  ole  Virginriy,"  said  one  negro  ;  "  dey  treated  de  po'  ole  slaves 
like  as  if  dey  was  as  good  as  dey  was.  Massa  Lee,  he  would  put  his  han' 
on  my  head  an'  say,  '  Sam,  do  yer  duty  an'  be  a  good  man.'  "  "  I  worked 
on  de  Lee  place,"  said  another  negro  whose  head  was  covered  with  snow- 
white  curly  locks,  "  an'  I  wish  I  was  dere  now.  Dere  was  plenty  to  eat 
an'  drink,  an'  I  nebber  have  had  such  a  good  time  since." 


STATUE   OF   GENERAL   SCOTT    AT    THE    SOLDIERS'    HOME. 


2o6  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

The  mansion  which  Custis  erected  is  a  two-story  brick  building,  one 
hundred  and  forty  feet  long.  There  is  a  central  structure  with  a  wide, 
deep  portico,  which  has  eight  ponderous  columns,  and  there  are  two  wings. 
The  mansion  is  covered  with  plaster  and  painted  a  yellowish  brown.  It  is 
located  on  the  highest  eastern  bank  of  the  estate,  and  from  its  portico  and 
windows  the  view  is  superb.  It  is  a  fine  specimen  of  the  old  mansions  of 
Virginia,  and  is  something  like  Jefferson's  mansion  at  Monticello.  From 
the  portico  a  large  door  opens  into  a  wide  hall-way,  which  extends  to  the 
rear  of  the  house.  There  are  two  parlors  and  a  conservatory  on  the  left 
of  the  hall,  and  on  the  right  is  a  spacious  dining-room,  with  an  arch  and 
pillars  in  the  centre  of  it,  and  there  are  small  rooms  leading  from  it.  The 
upper  story  has  a  number  of  good-sized  rooms.  The  mansion  is  well  pre- 
served ;  it  bears  no  appearance  of  decay,  and  is  likely  to  last  for  many 
more  years  with  proper  care.  The  upper  story  is  occupied  by  the  official 
in  charge  of  the  military  cemetery,  and  the  rooms  of  the  first  story  con- 
tain a  few  chairs  and  desks.  On  the  walls  are  hung  plans  and  pictures  of 
the  cemetery.  Adjacent  to  the  mansion  are  several  small  brick  structures 
used  by  the  house-servants  of  the  Lee  family. 

Up  to  the  time  of  Lee's  departure  from  Arlington  for  Richmond  to 
enter  the  Confederate  service,  the  mansion  contained  a  large  collection  of 
Washington  relics  which  Custis  had  brought  from  Mount  Vernon.  In  the 
parlors  were  a  number  of  ancient  paintings  which  had  formerly  hung  on 
the  walls  of  Washington's  home,  and  among  these  were  the  portraits  of 
Washington  and  his  wife,  painted  soon  after  their  marriage.  The  parlors 
also  contained  many  pieces  of  furniture  from  Mount  Vernon.  There  were 
Washington's  bookcase,  the  china  dining-set  presented  to  him  by  the 
Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  the  china  tea-set  presented  to  Martha  Washing- 
ton by  Lafayette  and  the  French  officers  of  the  Revolution,  curtains  and  a 
fire-screen  embroidered  by  her,  brass  and  silver  candlesticks,  a  clock,  fire- 
tongs,  the  mahogany  chairs  and  tables  that  were  in  the  state  parlor  at 
Mount  Vernon,  and  other  articles  of  historical  value.  In  one  of  the  other 
rooms  was  the  mahogany  bedstead  on  which  Washington  lay  when  he 
died,  and  in  the  stable  was  the  clumsy  old  yellow  coach  which  Washing- 
ton used  all  the  time  he  was  President.  All  these  articles  were  bequeathed 
to  Custis  by  his  grandmother,  and  were  sacredly  cherished  by  him. 

When  Arlington  was  deserted  by  the  Lee  family  in  the  spring  of  i86i, 
they  had  a  few  of  the  relics  removed  to  a  place  of  safety,  but  they  had  so 
little  belief  that  there  would  be  "  much  of  a  war"  that  they  were  content 
to  leave  the  estate  and  the  greater  part  of  its  historic  treasures  in  the 
keeping  of  a  superintendent  until  they  should  return.  But  they  never 
came  back  to  beautiful  Arlington,  and  its  shady  walks  and  the  old  mansion 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


207 


SUMMER  RESIDENCE  OF  PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES  AT   THE   SOLDIERS'   HOME. 


^_  knew  them  no 

more  forever. 
United  States 
troops  soon  took  possession 
of  the  estate,  and  the  gov- 
ernment seized  the  Wash- 
ington relics,  and  they  are 
now  deposited  in  the  National  Museum.  In  1869,  Mrs.  Lee  endeavored 
to  obtain  them,  but  Congress  refused  her  request.  Arlington  was  sold 
at  a  tax  sale  in  January,  1864,  under  the  tax  act  of  1862.  It  could  not 
be  confiscated,  as  it  was  entailed  property.  Taxes  were  levied  on  it,  and, 
as  they  were  not  paid,  the  sale  took  place,  and  the  government  bought 
the  estate  for  ^23,000.  A  national  military  cemetery  was  established  here 
in  May,  1864. 

Some  years  after  the  war,  George  Washington  Custis  Lee,  the  eldest 
son  of  General  Lee,  having  inherited  the  estate  at  his  mother's  death, 
brought  suit  for  its  recovery.  He  claimed  that  the  tax  sale  was  invalid, 
because  a  tender  of  the  taxes  might  have  been  made  if  the  tax  commis- 
sioners had  not  required  the  tender  to  be  made  in  person.  The  suit  went 
to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  and  that  court  gave  judgment 
for  Mr.  Lee.  He  at  once  proposed  a  compromise  with  the  government, 
which  was  accepted  by  Congress,  and,  in  1884,  Mr.  Lee  transferred  all  his 
right,  title,  and  interest  in  the  estate  to  the  United  States  for  the  sum  of 
;^  1 50,000. 


2o8  ^-^^    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

That  portion  of  Arlington  set  apart  for  the  cemetery  borders  on  the 
road  which  runs  from  the  Aqueduct  bridge,  at  Georgetown,  to  Alexandria. 
The  cemetery  extends  3500  feet  on  the  Alexandria  road,  and  runs  back  to 
the  westward  for  a  half-mile.  The  grounds  are  enclosed  with  a  low  rubble 
stone  wall,  and  are  very  picturesque.  They  are  thickly  covered  with  tall, 
magnificent  oaks,  which  have  been  growing  for  nearly  two  hundred  years. 
Broad,  well-made  roads  wind  through  ravines  and  over  hills,  and  there 
are  innumerable  rich  green  lawns,  studded  with  great  beds  of  flowers  and 
variegated  plants. 

At  the  main  entrance  gate  is  a  high  arch  composed  of  marble  columns 
taken  from  the  portico  of  the  old  building  in  Washington,  occupied  by 
the  War  Department  until  1873,  when  it  was  demolished.  Three  of  the 
columns  are  inscribed  with  the  names  of  Scott,  Lincoln,  and  Stanton. 
The  greater  number  of  burials  are  in  the  southerly  section,  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  mansion.  Here  is  an  almost  level  field  of  many  acres,  and 
on  this  field  are  thousands  of  graves  in  parallel  rows,  stretching  away 
almost  as  far  ;  6  one  can  see.  The  graves  are  level  with  the  sod,  the 
mound  system  customary  in  most  cemeteries  having  been  dispensed  with. 
There  is  ?  11  marble  headstone  at  each  grave  bearing  the  name  of  the 

soldier  an  '  t  name  of  his  state.  This  vast  burial-field  is  covered  with 
trees  and  rpeted  with  luxuriant  turf.  It  is  a  peaceful  resting-place. 
The  patriot  s^^ns  of  every  Northern  state  are  here  sleeping  the  last  sleep. 
The  field  is  scrupulously  cared  for  day  by  day  by  the  government  officials. 
Flowers  are  constantly  planted,  the  grass  is  cut.  weeds  are  removed  from 
the  paths,  and  everything  possible  is  done  to  keep  it  in  the  best  condition. 
There  are  other  burial-fields  in  the  cemetery,  but  they  are  not  so  extensive 
as  this  one. 

Near  the  m^ns'  n  is  a  large  granite  tomb,  in  which  repose  the  bodies 
of  21 1 1  unkno'"T-  oldiers,  gathered  after  the  war  from  the  battle-fields 
of  Bull  Run  ,  the  route  to  the  Rappahannock.  The  tomb  is  sur- 
rounded by  cai  and  shaded  by  four  gigantic  oaks.  In  all  there  are 
16,264  soldiers  ...ied  in  this  cemetery,  nearly  lOOO  more  than  in  the 
Gettysburg  cemetery.  Record  books,  containing  the  name  and  descrip- 
tion of  every  soldier  who  was  known,  together  with  the  locality  of  his 
grave  and  the  date  of  his  burial,  are  to  be  seen  in  the  mansion. 

On  the  borders  of  the  burial-fields  are  large  iron  frames  containing 
selections  from  a  poem  written  by  Colonel  Theodore  O'Hara,  a  heroic 
soldier  of  the  Mexican  war,  and  read  by  him  at  the  dedication  of  the 
monument  erected  by  the  State  of  Kentucky  in  Frankfort  cemetery  to 
the  memory  of  her  citizens  who  fell  in  that  struggle.  O'Hara  was  a 
Southern  poet  and  journalist,  and  for  some  time  was  the  editor  of  The 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  200 

Mobile  Register.  He  died  in  Columbus,  Georgia,  in  1867.  His  poem 
was  selected  on  account  of  its  singular  beauty  and  appropriateness.  The 
selections  are  in  large  white  letters,  and  are  very  conspicuous  on  the 
frames  which  contain  them. 

O'Hara's  poem  is  entitled  "  The  Bivouac  of  the  Dead,"  and  the  verses 
displayed  in  the  cemetery  are  as  follows  : 

"  The  muffled  drum's  sad  roll  has  beat 

The  soldier's  last  tattoo  ! 
No  more  on  life's  parade  shall  meet 

That  brave  and  fallen  few. 
On  fame's  eternal  camping-ground 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  glory  guards  with  solemn  round 

The  bivouac  of  the  dead. 

"  No  rumor  of  the  foe's  advance 

Now  swells  upon  the  wind, 
Nor  troubled  thought  at  midnight  haunts 

Of  loved  ones  left  behind. 
No  vision  of  the  morrow's  strife 

The  warrior's  dream  alarms, 
No  braying  horn,  no  screaming  fife 

At  dawn  shall  call  to  arms. 

"  The  neighing  troop,  the  flashing  blade, 

The  bugle's  stirring  blast. 
The  charge,  the  dreadful  cannonade. 

The  din  and  shout  are  past. 
Nor  war's  wild  notes,  nor  glory's  peal 

Shall  thrill  with  fierce  delight 
Those  breasts  that  never  more  may  feel 

The  rapture  of  the  fight. 

*'  Rest  on,  embalmed  and  sainted  dead  ! 
Dear  is  the  blood  you  gave, — 
No  impious  footsteps  here  shall  tread 

The  herbage  of  your  grave ; 
Nor  shall  your  glory  be  forgot 
While  fame  her  record  keeps. 
Or  honor  points  the  hallowed  spot 
Where  valor  proudly  sleeps." 
14 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

THE  CORCORAN  GALLERY  OF  ART-THE  BUILDING  AND  ITS  ART  TREASURES- 
SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  W.  W.  CORCORAN-THE  COLUMBIAN  UNIVERSITY- 
GOVERNMENT  HOSPITAL  FOR  THE  INSANE-HOWARD  UNIVERSITY-GRAVE  OF 
JOHN  HOWARD    PAYNE. 

fOME  twenty-five  years  ago  Mr.  William  W.  Corcoran,  the 
eminent  banker  and  philanthropist  of  Washington,  conceived 
the  idea  of  establishing  a  public  gallery  of  art.  He  had  a 
fine  collection  of  paintings  and  statuary,  valued  at  many 
thousands  of  dollars,  which  he  thought  would  be  a  nucleus  for  such 
a  gallery,  and  to  this  collection  he  proposed  to  add  a  large  number 
of  the  best  art-works  of  Europe  and  America.  In  1859  he  began  the 
erection  of  a  handsome  and  capacious  building  to  contain  the  gallery,  the 
architect  being  Mr.  James  Renwick,  of  New  York.  Before  the  building 
was  completed  the  Civil  War  began,  and  in  1861  the  governmeh.;  took 
possession  of  the  building  for  the  use  of  the  Quartermaster-General,  and 
retained  it  until  the  early  part  of  1869.  After  the  government  had 
vacated  the  building,  Mr.  Corcoran  deeded  it  to  trustees  to  be  held 
forever  as  a  gallery  of  art  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  public.  The 
deed  of  trust  was  dated  May  10,  1869,  and  stated  that  the  institution  was 
to  be  for  "  the  perpetual  establishment  and  encouragement  of  painting, 
sculpture,  and  the  fine  arts  generally,"  and  that  "  it  should  be  open  to 
visitors  without  charge  two  days  in  the  week,  and  on  other  days  at 
moderate  and  reasonable  charges,  to  be  applied  to  the  current  expenses 
of  procuring  and  keeping  in  order  the  building  and  its  contents." 

The  institution  was  granted  an  act  of  incorporation  by  Congress  May 
24,  1870,  and  was  forever  exempted  from  taxation.  After  considerable 
reconstruction,  the  building  was  completed  in  1871,  but  it  was  not  until 
January  19,  1874,  that  the  gallery  was  opened  to  the  public.  Many  fine 
paintings,  statues,  casts,  bronzes,  etc.,  had  been  purchased  in  Europe  by 
one  of  the  trustees,  and,  with  Mr.  Corcoran's  collections  which  were 
deposited  in  the  gallery  some  months  before  it  was  opened,  the  exhibi- 
tion from  the  first  was  very  extensive  and  interesting.     Since   1874  the 


211 


212 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


gallery  has  greatly  developed.  Year  by  year  valuable  art-works  have 
been  added,  so  that  at  the  present  time  the  gallery  is  one  of  the  finest 
in  the  United  States.  It  is  managed  by  a  board  of  nine  trustees,  and  has 
a  curator  and  assistant  curator.  It  has  an  endowment  fund  of  nearly 
^90c>,000,  given  by  Mr.  Corcoran,  and  its  yearly  income  is  large.  The 
building  and  land  cost  ;^250,000,  and  the  Corcoran  collections  of  statues 
and  pictures  were  valued  at  ;^  100,000.  The  gallery  is  open  each  week- 
day, and  is  free  on  Tuesdays,  Thursdays,  and  Saturdays.  On  other  days 
a  fee  of  twenty-five  cents  is  charged.  Every  Monday,  Wednesday,  and 
Friday  art-students  are  permitted  to  copy  the  paintings  and  to  draw  from 
the  casts.  The  gallery  always  has  many  visitors,  and  on  some  days  there 
are  more  than  fifteen  hundred  people  inspecting  its  treasures  of  art. 
During  1884  there  were  over  75,000  visitors. 

The  building  stands  on  Pennsylvania  avenue  at  Seventeenth  street,  and 
is  opposite  the  State,  War,  and  Navy  building.  It  is  one  hundred  and  six 
feet  nine  inches  in  length,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  feet  six  inches 
in  depth,  and  has  two  stories  with  a  mansard  roof  It  is  constructed  of 
brick,  with  facings. and  ornaments  of  brownstone.  The  front  has  an  im- 
posing effect,  it  being  divided  into  recesses  by  a  series  of  pilasters  with 


CORCORAN  GALLERY  OF  ART. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


\ 


213 


\ 


WILLIAM   W.    CORCORAN. 


finely  sculptured  Corinthian  capitals.  There  are  four  niches  in  which  are 
marble  statues,  and  over  the  entrance  door  are  carvings  of  trophies  and 
wreaths  of  foliage.  The  Corcoran  monogram  is  carved  above  the  door, 
and  over  the  central  pediment  is  the  inscription,  "  Dedicated  to  Art." 
There  is  a  bronze  medallion  of  Mr.  Corcoran  within  the  central  pediment, 
and  encircling  it  are  carvings  of  foliage.  Statues  of  Phidias.  Raphael. 
Michael  Angelo,  and  Albert  Durer  are  in  the  niches  on  the  front  of  the 
building,  and  statues  of  Titian,  Da  Vinci,  Rubens,  Rembrandt,  Murillo, 
Canova,  and  Crawford  are  in  niches  on  the  Seventeenth  street  side. 
The  statues  were  executed  by  M.  Ezekiel  at  Rome,  and  are  of  Carrara 

marble. 

In  the  first  story  of  the  building  are  the  halls  of  sculpture  and  bronzes, 
and  in  the  second  story  are  the  halls  of  paintings.  All  the  halls  are  large, 
high,  and  well  lighted,  and  are  excellently  arranged.  The  main  hall  of 
sculpture  is  nearly  one  hundred  feet  long,  and  about  twenty-five  feet  wide. 
and  the  main  hall  of  bronzes  is  nearly  as  large.  The  main  hall  of  paint- 
incrs  is  about  the  same  size  as  the  main  hall  of  sculpture,  and  its  ceiling  is 


214 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


handsomely  frescoed  and  decorated.  There  are  three  other  halls  of 
paintings.  The  gallery  contains  nearly  two  hundred  casts  of  antique 
marbles,  and  many  original  works  of  modern  sculptors.  It  has  a  large 
number  of  fine  bronzes,  and  extensive  collections  of  ceramic  ware.  There 
are  over  two  hundred  paintings  on  exhibition,  representing  many  of  the 
leading  artists  of  the  world.  The  gallery  has  portraits  of  the  Presidents 
of  the  United  States  from  Washington  to  Arthur,  painted  by  distinguished 
artists,  and  many  portraits  of  men  eminent  in  American  history.  In  the 
southwest  hall  is  the  Ogle  Tayloe  collection  of  statuary,  paintings,  bronzes, 
ceramic  ware,  and  other  articles  bequeathed  to  the  gallery  by  the  late  Mrs. 
B.  Ogle  Tayloe  of  Washington.  In  the  collection  are  many  articles  of 
great  historical  interest. 

Mr.  William  W.  Corcoran,  to  whom  the  public  are  greatly  indebted 
for  this  magnificent  gallery,  was  born  at  Georgetown,  December  27,  1798, 
and  has  passed  his  long  and  useful  life  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 
Thomas  Corcoran,  his  father,  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  settled  in 
Georgetown  when  a  youth,  and  for  many  years  was  a  highly  respected 
citizen  of  the  ancient  city,  at  one  time  serving  a  term  as  mayor.  William 
began  his  business  career  as  a  dry-goods  merchant,  and  subsequently 
entered  the  banking  business  in  Washington,  forming  a  partnership  in 
1839  with  the  late  George  W.  Riggs,  the  son  of  a  wealthy  Maryland 
gentleman.  In  1844  the  firm  of  Riggs  and  Corcoran  purchased  the 
building  on  Pennsylvania  avenue  opposite  the  northern  front  of  the 
Treasury  building,  which  had  been  occupied  by  the  historic  United  States 
Bank.  Here  they  built  up  an  extensive  banking  business,  which  has  been 
continued  to  the  present  time  under  the  firm-name  of  Riggs  and  Company. 
It  is  stated  that  "  during  the  Mexican  war  the  firm  took  extensive  loans 
needed  by  the  government,  and  though  it  proved  a  hazardous  operation 
they  emerged  from  it  with  safety,  honor,  and  vast  emoluments.  This  is 
considered  to  have  been  the  main  foundation  of  Mr.  Corcoran's  great 
wealth." 

Mr.  Corcoran  was  marriea  in  1835  to  Louise  Morris,  the  daughter  of 
Commodore  Morris.  She  died  in  1840,  leaving  a  son  and  daughter.  The 
son  died  shortly  after  his  mother,  but  the  daughter  grew  to  womanhood, 
and  for  a  number  of  years  gracefully  presided  over  her  father's  house. 
She  became  the  wife  of  the  Hon.  George  Eustis,  a  member  of  Congress 
from  Louisiana.  In  1867  she  died  of  consumption  at  Cannes,  France, 
leaving  three  children. 

Since  early  manhood  Mr.  Corcoran  has  resided  in  Washington,  and 
for  many  years  in  a  fine  mansion  on  H  street.  He  has  ever  been  a  public- 
spirited  citizen,  and  has  done  a  great  deal  of  beneficial  work,  constantly 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


215 


THE   LOUISE   HOME. 


using  his  wealth  for  the  aid  and  advancement  of  worthy  objects.  In  1871 
he  founded  the  institution  known  as  "  The  Louise  Home,"  which  was 
named  "after  his  wife  and  daughter  as  a  testimonial  to  their  devoted  con- 
cern for  the  poor  and  unfortunate."  This  noble  institution  is  situated  on 
Massachusetts  avenue,  between  Fifteenth  and  Sixteenth  streets.  The 
building  is  of  brick  and  four  stories  in  height,  and  has  a  mansard  roof. 
Its  grounds  cover  an  entire  square.  The  interior  of  the  building  is 
arranged  in  a  very  convenient  manner,  and  all  the  appointments  of  the 
home  are  elegant.  The  home  is  intended  for  women  of  refinement  and 
culture  who  have  been  reduced  from  affluence  to  poverty  and  need  assist- 
ance in  their  old  age.  At  present  there  are  forty-two  inmates.  The  cost 
of  the  building  and  grounds  was  $200,000.  The  home  has  an  endowment 
fund  of  $250,000,  and  is  managed  by  a  board  of  nine  lady  trustees. 

The  Columbian  University  is  one  of  the  leading  educational  institu- 
tions of  Washington.     It  was  originally  incorporated  by  act  of  Congress, 


2l6 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


February  9,  1821,  and  was  then  known  as  the  Columbian  College.  On 
March  3,  1873,  it  was  incorporated  as  a  university.  For  many  years  the 
institution  occupied  a  building  on  Meridian  Hill,  a  short  distance  beyond 
the  northern  boundary-line  of  Washington,  but  in  1884  it  took  possession 
of  a  new  and  magnificent  building  especially  erected  for  it  on  the 
southeast  corner  of  H  and  Fifteenth  streets.  This  building  is  four  stories 
in  height,  and  is  constructed  of  fine  pressed  and  moulded  bricks.  It  has 
terra-cotta  ornamentations  of  artistic  design.  It  has  a  frontage  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty-one  feet  on  Fifteenth  street,  and  of  sixty-four  and 
one-half  feet  on  H  street.  There  is  an  annex  extending  back  on  the 
south  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  feet.  The  interior  of  the  building  is 
arranged  in  a  convenient  manner  for  the  purposes  of  the  university. 
The  president  of  the  university  is  James  C.  Welling,  and  there  is  an  able 
corps  of  professors  and  instructors  in  the  collegiate  departments,  and  in 
the  departments  of  law  and  medicine.  The  medical  school  holds  its 
sessions  in  a  fine  building  on  H  street,  between  Thirteenth  and  Four- 
teenth streets,  which  was  erected  for  the  university  by  Mr.  William  W. 
Corcoran,  at  a  cost  of  ^40,000.  The  law  school  is  held  in  the  university 
building.  There  are  many  students  in  the  different  departments,  and  the 
university  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition. 

The  Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  or,  as  it  is  often  called,  St. 


COLUMBIAN    UNIVERSITY. 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


2\y 


JAMES   C.  WELLING,   PRESIDENT   OF   COLUMBIAN   UNIVERSITY. 

Elizabeth's  Asylum,  is  situated  on  a  hill  which  rises  from  the  banks  of 
the  Anacostia  river,  near  Greenleaf's  Point,  and  is  about  a  mile  from  the 
city  of  Washington.  It  is  intended  for  the  insane  of  the  army  and  navy, 
and  also  receives  the  insane  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  It  has  high 
rank  among  institutions  of  this  kind,  and  is  one  of  the  largest  in  the 
"world.  The  hospital -building  was  erected  in  1855,  at  a  cost  of  ^ i  ,000,000, 
and  has  accommodations  for  nearly  one  thousand  patients.  The  grounds 
of  the  institution  cover  more  than  four  hundred  acres,  and  are  laid  out  in 
an  attractive  manner. 

Howard  University  is  located  on  a  hill  near  the  northern  boundary- 
line  of  Washington,  and  is  adjacent  to  what  is  called  the  Seventh  street 
road.  This  famous  institution,  which  was  established  for  the  purpose  of 
rjivin":  a  higher  education  to  the  colored  race,  has  about  three  hundred 
students,  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Its  principal  building  is  large 
and  well  arranged,  and  it  has  extensive  grounds,  valued  at  many  thou- 
.sands  of  dollars.     It  has  schools  of  theology,  medicine,  and  law,  besides 


2l8 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


<IM^^imA 


VI 


HOWARD   UNIVERSITY. 

collegiate  departments,  and  is  well  equipped  for  educational  purposes. 
It  was  established  in  1867,  and  was  named  after  its  first  president,  General 
Oliver  O.  Howard. 

In  the  beautiful  Oak  Hill  Cemetery  at  Georgetown  is  the  grave  of 
John  Howard  Payne,  author  of  "  Home,  Sweet  Home."  His  remains 
were  removed  from  Tunis,  in  Africa,  where  they  had  been  interred  for 
many  years,  and  brought  to  America  through  the  liberality  of  Mr. 
William  W.  Corcoran.  On  the  9th  of  June,  1883,  the  remains  were 
interred  in  Oak  Hill  with  impressive  ceremony. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

COLUMBIA  INSTITUTION  FOR  THE  DEAF  AND  DUMB  AND  NATIONAL  DEAF-MUTE 
COLLEGE— BENEVOLENT  INSTITUTIONS— BALTIMORE  AND  POTOMAC  RAILROAD 
DEPOT— THE  ASSASSINATION  OF  PRESIDENT  GARFIELD— THE  MASONIC  TEMPLE 
—MAYORS  OF  WASHINGTON— THE  CEMETERIES— DISTRICT  COURT-HOUSE. 

N  the  beautiful  tract  of  one  hundred  acres,  situated  just  beyond 
the  northeastern  boundary-Hne  of  Washington,  and  known  as 
Kendalf  Green,  are  the  buildings  occupied  by  the  Columbia 
Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  and  National  Deaf-Mute 
College.  The  institution  was  incorporated  by  Congress  in  1857,  and  at 
first  was  intended  for  the  primary  education  of  the  deaf-mute  children  of 
the  District  of  Columbia;  but,  in  1864,  it  was  authorized  to  establish  a 
collegiate  department,  to  be  called  the  National  Deaf-Mute  College,  which 
was  to  admit  students  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States.  The  originator 
of  this  excellent  institution  was  Amos  Kendall,  who  was  Postmaster- 
General  from  1835  to  1840.  He  had  a  residence  on  the  green  called  by 
his  name,  and,  becoming  interested  in  the  unfortunate  children  deprived 
of  speech  and  hearing,  he  established  a  school  for  them  in  a  small  wooden 
house  on  his  estate,  securing  as  teacher  Edward  M.  Gallaudet,  a  son  of 
Dr.  Thomas  H.  Gallaudet,  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  the  first  instructor 
of  the  deaf  and  dumb  in  America.  In  this  humble  way  the  institution 
began  its  career,  and  for  some  time  it  was  almost  entirely  supported  by 
Mr.  Kendall.  In  1859  ^""^  erected  a  brick  building  for  its  use,  and  also  set 
apart  for  it  ten  acres  of  his  green  for  gardens  and  playgrounds.  He  gave 
freely  of  his  limited  means  and  labored  earnestly  until  his  death,  in  1869, 
for  the  success  of  this  noble  educational  work.  Scholarships  were  en- 
dowed by  prominent  people  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  and  year  by 
year  the  institution  attracted  public  attention  and  developed  steadily.  In 
1872  the  entire  Kendall  Green  was  purchased  by  Congress  for  $80,000, 
for  the  use  of  the  institution,  and  since  then  the  government  has  liberally 
sustained  these  "  silent  schools." 

No   institution   of  the   kind   in   the   country  has  a   higher   rank   and 
character.     Its  college   is  the  only  one   in  the  world  where  deaf-mutes 

219 


w 

D 

s 


< 
z 

D 

z 

3 
Z 


3 

a 

Q 

Z 

Q 

w 

X 


O 

(X. 

z 

o 

H 
Z 


►J 
O 
U 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


221 


EDWARD  M.  GALLAUDET,  PRESI- 
DENT OF  THE  NATIONAL  DEAF- 
MUTE  COLLEGE. 


can  obtain  a  thorough  collegiate  education, 
and  it  has  already  graduated  nearly  three 
hundred  young  men,  who  have  gone  forth  to 
encase  in  the  affairs  of  life  as  well  fitted  for 
their  duties  as  those  blessed  with  the  ability 
to  hear  and  talk.  Some  of  its  graduates  have 
attained  distinguished  success  in  the  profes- 
sions, and,  as  lawyers,  teachers,  editors,  and 
writers,  have  reflected  great  credit  on  the  in- 
stitution which  afforded  them  the  opportunity 
to  become  well  educated  and  able  to  compete 
successfully  with  those  who  were  not  "  sent 
into  this  breathing  world  scarce  half  made 
up."  Its  students  are  from  every  quarter  of 
the  United  States,  and  some  have  come  from 
foreign  lands. 

The  institution  has  "  a  group  of  picturesque  and  stately  buildings," 
the  central  one  being  of  the  pointed  Gothic  style  prevailing  during  the 
fourteenth  century.  This  building  was  erected  in  1871,  and  is  two 
hundred  and  sixteen  feet  long  and  seventy-six  feet  wide,  the  material 
being  brownstone  with  courses  of  white  sandstone.  The  roofs  are  of 
blue  and  red  slate  laid  in  courses.  The  other  buildings  are  of  good  size 
and  of  pleasing  architecture.  The  grounds  are  laid  out  in  an  attractive 
manner,  and  have  lawns,  gardens,  and  wooded  fields.  The  property  of 
the  institution  is  valued  at  about  ;^400,ooo. 

In  the  primary  school  there  are  usually  about  fifty  scholars,  who  are 
instructed  in  the  sign-language  and  in  articulation  and  lip-reading.  After 
they  are  able  to  converse  freely  by  these  methods,  they  are  taught  the 
elements  of  an  English  education.  The  scholars  are  mostly  young,  but 
occasionally  there  will  be  seen  in  the  classes  matured  men  and  women 
who  had  not  been  able  to  receive  thorough  instruction  and  training  in 
their  youth.  The  teachers  are  skilful  and  very  patient,  and,  as  a  rule,  the 
scholars  make  satisfactory  progress,  many  of  them  in  a  very  short  time 
acquiring  such  proficiency  in  the  deaf-mute  system  that  they  are  able  to 
converse  and  understand,  to  read  and  write,  remarkably  well. 

The  college  curriculum  embraces  the  Latin,  French,  and  German  lan- 
guages, the  higher  mathematics,  chemistry,  botany,  astronomy,  geology, 
mineralogy,  physiology,  zoology,  English  philology,  ancient  and  modern 
history,  etc.  The  students  have  the  use  of  an  excellent  museum,  and  a 
library  especially  valuable  for  its  collections  of  rare  works  pertaining  to 
the  education  of  deaf-mutes. 


222 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


What  is  known  as  the  "  French  method"  of  instruction  for  the  deaf 
and  dumb  is  generally  used  in  the  Columbia  institution  and  college,  but 
the  German  and  English  methods  are  taught  to  some  extent.  The 
French  method  consists  of  the  familiar  sign-language,  and  was  devised 
by  the  Abbe  de  I'Epee  in  1760,  and  afterwards  was  perfected  by  the 
Abbe  Sicard.  It  was  introduced  in  the  United  States  by  Dr.  T.  H.  Gal- 
laudet  in  18 17.  The  other  methods,  which  are  practically  one,  teach  the 
deaf-mutes  articulation  and  how  to  interpret  the  motions  of  the  lips  when 
they  are  spoken  to. 

There  are  about  thirty-five  thousand  deaf-mutes  in  the  United  States, 

and  about  one-fifth  of  the 
number  are  under  in- 
struction in  the  various 
institutions  provided  for 
them.  The  state  institu- 
tion in  Illinois  has  more 
than  five  hundred  schol- 
ars, and  is  the  largest  in 
the  world. 


Washington  has  numerous  benevolent 
institutions,  some  of  which  receive  sub- 
stantial aid  from  the  government.  The 
City  Asylum,  on  the  banks  of  the  Anacostia 
river,  cares  for  the  poor  of  the  district.  Its 
building  was  erected  in  1859.  The  Freed- 
man's  Hospital,  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
city,  was  especially  intended  for  the  colored 
people,  but  of  late  years  white  patients  have 
been  received.     It  is  amply  provided  with 


-.■ '';ii.~J^^^^ 


BALTIMORE  AND  POTOMAC  RAIL- 
ROAD DEPOT — GARFIELD  MEMO- 
RIAL   TABLET. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


223 


VIEW    ON    SEVENTH    STREET. 


all  necessary  appliances  for  its  work,  and  can  accommodate  about  three 
hundred  patients.  The  students  in  the  medical  school  of  Howard 
University  receive  practical  instruction  in  this  hospital.  The  Providence 
Hospital,  in  the  southeast  quarter  of  Washington,  is  a  large  and  important 
institution,  and  is  in  charge  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity.  It  has  a  large 
medical  staff  and  ample  accommodations  for  patients.  It  was  founded  in 
1862,  and  its  present  fine  brick  building  was  erected  in  1867,  partly  by 
the  help  of  Congress.  Every  year  an  appropriation  for  the  hospital  is 
made  by  Congress,  and  the  non-resident  poor  who  need  medical  or 
surgical  treatment  can  receive  it  here.  The  Garfield  Memorial  Hospital, 
the  City  Orphan  Asylum,  the  Children's  Hospital,  the  Columbia  Hospital 
for  Women,  the  St.  John's  Hospital,  the  Home  for  the  Aged,  the  National 
Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Orphan  Home,  the  St.  Ann's  Infant  Asylum,  the  St. 


224 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


Joseph's  Male  Orphan  Asylum,  the  St.  Vincent  Female  Orphan  Asy- 
lum, and  the  Epiphany  Church  Home  are  the  prominent  institutions  of 
benevolence,  and  they  accomplish  a  vast  beneficial  work. 

In  the  Washington  depot  of  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad 
President  James  A.  Garfield  was  shot  by  Charles  J.  Guiteau,  on  the 
morning  of  July  2,  1881.  The  President,  accompanied  by  James  G. 
Blaine,  Secretary  of  State,  had  arrived  at  the  depot  to  take  a  train  east, 
for  a  visit  to  his  wife,  who  was  sojourning  at  Long  Branch,  and  after- 
wards intended  to  visit  various  parts  of  New  P^ngland.  As  he  entered 
the  ladies'  waiting-room,  Guiteau  advanced  towards  him  from  the  side  of 
the  room,  and,  quickly  pulling  out  a  pistol,  fired  several  shots  at  him. 
The  President  fell  to  the  floor,  pierced  by  the  bullets.  He  was  removed 
in  a  few  moments  to  another  room,  and  afterwards  carried  to  the  White 
House,  where  he  lay  in  intense  pain  and  distress  all  through  the  summer, 
patiently  bearing  his  suffering  and  uttering  no  word  of  complaint.  The 
prayers  of  the  whole  country — ay,  of  the  world — were  for  his  recovery,  but 
it  was  not  so  to  be.  He  died  on  the  19th  of  September,  1881,  at  Elberon, 
New  Jersey,  whither  he  had  been  removed  in  the  hope  that  the  sea  air 
would  benefit  him.  Guiteau  was  arrested  as  he  was  leaving  the  depot 
after  his  dastardly  act,  tried,  convicted  of  murder  in  spite  of  his  pretence 
of  insanity,  and  executed  in  the  jail  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  Shortly 
after  Garfield's  death  the  railroad  company  placed  a  beautiful  marble 
tablet  on  the  wall  of  the  room,  directly  over  the  spot  where  he  fell,  as  a 
memorial  to  him. 


■^-< 


A-.- 


Y^  fwn    UV.W 


{ 


:fi ^^ 


!  illii 


\^^Mj^^^\ 


VIEW    ON    F   STREET. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


22$ 


THE  MASONIC  TEMPLE. 


There  are  about  three  thousand  Masons  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 
Soon  after  the  city  of  Washington  was  founded  a  lodge  of  Masons  was 
established,  and  in  i8i6  there  were  two  lodges.  They  had  their  meetings 
in  a  small  wooden  building  in  the  southern  quarter  of  the  city,  near  the 
banks  of  the  Potomac.  The  various  lodges,  chapters,  and  commanderies 
now  occupy  the  Masonic  Temple,  which  is  situated  on  the  northwest 
corner  of  F  and  Ninth  streets.  This  building  was  erected  in  1868,  at  an 
expense  of  nearly  ^200,000,  and  is  constructed  mainly  of  Nova  Scotia 
freestone.  The  front  is  ornamented  with  Masonic  emblems.  All  the 
rooms  occupied  by  the  order  are  handsomely  furnished  and  adorned. 
In  the  second  story  of  the  building  is  a  public  hall  used  for  various 
entertainments. 

During  the  years  that  Washington  had  a  municipal  government — from 
1802  to  1 87 1 — the  following  persons  held  the  office  of  mayor:  1802, 
Robert  Brent;  1812,  Daniel  Rapine;  1813,  James  H.Blake;  1817,  Ben- 
jamin G.  Orr;  1819,  Samuel  M.  Smallwood  ;  1822,  T.  Carberry ;  1824, 
Roger  C.  Weightman ;  1827,  Joseph  Gales,  Jr. ;  1830,  John  P.  Van  Ness; 
1834,  W.  A.  Bradley;  1836,  Peter  Force;  1840,  W.  W.  Seaton  ;  1850, 
Walter  Lenox;    1852,  John  W.   Maury;    1854,  John  T.  Towers;    1856, 

15 


226 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


W.  B.  Magruder;  1858,  J.  G.  Berrett;  1862,  Richard  Wallach ;  1868,  S. 
J.  Bowen  ;  1870,  M.  G.  Emery.  In  1871  a  territorial  government  was 
established,  and  Henry  D.  Cooke  was  the  first  governor,  holding  the 
office  until  1873,  when  it  was  assumed  by  Alexander  R.  Shepherd.  The 
present  government,  by  three  commissioners,  was  instituted  in  1874. 

Seventh  and  F  streets  are  prominent  business  localities,  and  contain 
a  large  number  of  fine  buildings.  On  Seventh  street  there  are  many 
retail  stores.  There  are  numerous  banking-houses  and  real  estate  estab- 
lishments on  F  street,  and  year  by  year  the  street  is  becoming  the  centre 
of  important  financial  transactions. 

The  Congressional  Cemetery  is  situated  in  the  southeast  quarter  of 
the  city,  on  the  banks  of  the  Anacostia,  or  Eastern  Branch  of  the  Potomac 
river.  It  is  about  fifty  acres  in  extent,  and  was  originally  laid  out  by 
Christ  Episcopal  Church  in  1807.  Many  men  of  prominence  in  the  early 
history  of  the  country  are  buried  here,  and  in  the  centre  of  the  grounds 
are  numerous  sandstone  cenotaphs,  which  were  erected  in  memory  of 
deceased  members  of  Congress.  Oak  Hill  Cemetery  has  a  picturesque 
situation  on  Georgetown  Heights,  and  extends  along  the  banks  of  Rock 
creek.  It  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  burial-grounds  in  the  United  States. 
The  remains  of  many  persons  of  national  fame  are  interred  in  it.  Other 
prominent  cemeteries  are  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery,  Glenwood  Ceme- 
tery, Rock  Creek  Cemetery,  Prospect  Hill  Cemetery,  and  Graceland 
Cemetery. 

The  District  Court-House  is  located  on  the  south  front  of  Judiciary 
Square,  and  is  a  building  of  Grecian  architecture.  It  was  planned  by 
George  Hadfield,  and  was  begun   in   1820,  but  was  not  completed  until 


^.  ■\^'^f■, 


THE   DISTRICT   COURT-HOUSE. 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPJTAL. 


227 


THE   W.    B.    MOSES    BUILDING. 


1849.  It  is  of  brick,  covered  with  stucco,  is  two  stories  in  height,  and 
has  a  frontage  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  It  was  originally  intended 
for  the  City  Hall,  as  well  as  for  the  courts  of  the  district,  and  was  occu- 
pied by  the  municipal  officers  until  1871.  The  government  purchased  it 
in  1873,  and  at  present  it  is  entirely  used  for  court  purposes.  Many 
famous  cases  have  been  tried  in  this  building  during  the  past  fifty  years. 


ll„     .     ,1  MM 


.i^m^'^Jl 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

THE  MEMORIAL  TO  MARTIN  LUTHER— ARMY  MEDICAL  MUSEUM— THE  GREAT  MEDICAL 
LIBRARY  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT— VARIOUS  CITY  INSTITUTIONS-THE  WASHINGTON 
NAVY  YARD— GENERAL  LAND  OFFICE— THE  PUBLIC  LANDS— BUREAU  OF  INDIAN 
AFFAIRS-OTHER  INTERESTING  MATTERS. 

IRECTLY  in  front  of  the  Lutheran  Memorial  Church,  in  the 
northwest  quarter  of  Washington,  stands  a  huge  bronze  statue 
of  Martin  Luther,  which  was  erected  in  May,  1884,  by  the 
contributions  of  members  of  the  Lutheran  denomination 
throughout  the  United  States.  The  statue  fronts  on  Thomas  Circle,  and 
has  a  conspicuous  position.  At  the  unveiling  ceremony  there  was  a  large 
assemblage,  Lutherans  from  every  portion  of  the  country  being  present. 
Addresses  were  made  by  prominent  churchmen,  and  Luther's  battle  hymn 
was  sung  by  many  voices.  This  memorial  to  the  great  Protestant  reformer 
is  a  duplication  of  the  central  figure  of  the  famous  bronze  group  which 
was  erected  in  the  city  of  Worms  during  the  summer  of  1868,  and  which 
commemorates  the  entire  story  of  the  reformation.  The  figure  is  eleven 
and  one-half  feet  in  height,  and  stands  upon  a  granite  pedestal  of  the  same 
height.  A  solid  block  of  granite  constitutes  the  base  of  the  pedestal,  and 
resting  upon  this  are  two  smaller  blocks,  on  one  of  which  are  the  words, 
"  Martin  Luther,"  this  being  the  only  inscription  on  the  memorial.  Luther 
is  represented  as  he  appeared  at  the  conclusion  of  his  defence  at  the  Diet 
of  Worms,  when  he  uttered  the  memorable  words,  "  Here  I  stand ;  I  can- 
not do  otherwise.  God  help  me  !  Amen."  He  wears  a  clerical  gown,  and 
holds  a  closed  Bible  in  his  left  hand.  His  right  hand,  firmly  clenched, 
rests  on  the  sacred  book.  His  head  is  thrown  back  in  a  dauntless  manner, 
and  his  face  expresses  sturdy  resolution.  The  figure  is  posed  naturally 
and  gracefully,  and  is  suggestive  of  a  strong,  resolute  personality. 

The  idea  of  having  this  memorial  erected  at  the  capital  of  the  nation 
was  first  suggested  by  a  gentleman  in  New  York  in  the  early  part  of 
1883.  The  suggestion  received  the  hearty  endorsement  of  prominent 
clergymen  of  the  Lutheran  denomination,  and  a  call  for  contributions  was 
issued  at  once.     There  was  such  a  prompt  and  liberal  response  to  the  call 

229 


230 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


STATUE   OF   MARTIN   LUTHER. 


that  in  April,  1883,  the  statue  was  ordered  to  be  cast  at  the  foundry,  in 
Germany,  where  the  Worms  memorial  was  cast.  When  the  statue  was 
finished,  it  was  transported  from  Hamburg,  across  the  ocean,  to  Wash- 
ington free  of  cost.  It  was  thought  at  first  that  permission  might  be 
obtained  to  place  the  statue  in  one  of  the  public  reservations,  but,  as 
objections  were  made  for  various  reasons,  the  Lutheran  Memorial  Church 
transferred  to  the  statue  association  a  part  of  the  land  on  the  south  of  the 
church  for  the  location  of  the  statue.  The  cost  of  the  statue  and  pedestal 
was  $<^QOO. 

The  Army  Medical  Museum,  on  Tenth  street,  is  a  unique  institution. 
It  is  located  in  Ford's  old  theatre,  where  President  Lincoln  was  shot. 
After  this  tragic  event  the  government  closed  the  theatre,  and  finally 
purchased  the  property.  The  interior  of  the  building  was  remodelled 
and  adapted  for  the  use  of  the  Surgeon-General,  and  now  contains  a  large 
force  of  clerks  and  officials  constantly  employed  in  examining  and  com- 
piling the  vast  collections  of  records  pertaining  to  the  medical  and  hos- 
pital department  of  the  army.  From  the  records  of  the  Civil  War  is 
gathered  the  information  used  in  deciding  pension  claims.  The  museum 
occupies  the  third  story  of  the  building.  It  was  established  for  the  pur- 
pose of  illustrating  the  diseases  and  casualties  incident  to  armies  and  war, 
but  it  really  includes  all  the  prominent  objects  of  medical  and  surgical 
study.     Nothing  like  it  is  to  be  found  elsewhere   in  the  world.      Many 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


231 


years  of  arduous  labor  and  a  large  amount  of  money  have  been  expended 
in  developing  and  perfecting  it,  and  it  is  now  a  wonderful  exhibition, 
and  greatly  instructive  to  those  professionally  interested  in  its  range  of 
subjects.  It  has  some  twenty-two  thousand  specimens  systematically 
arranged  in  six  sections.  In  the  anatomical  section  there  is  a  very  large 
collection  of  human  crania  arranged  for  the  purpose  of  ethnological 
study,  and  in  the  section  of  comparative  anatomy  there  are  about  fifteen 
hundred  specimens  of  skeletons  of  American  mammals.  In  the  mis- 
cellaneous sections  are  the  latest  appliances  for  the  treatment  of  diseases, 
all  sorts  of  surgical  instruments,  and  models  of  ambulances,  hospitals, 
etc.  The  surgical,  medical,  and  microscopical  sections  are  very  full  and 
interesting. 

On  the  second  floor  of  the  museum  building  is  the  great  medical 
library  of  the  government,  which  contains  sixty-seven  thousand  books 
and  seventy-five  thousand  pamphlets  relating  to  medicine  and  surgery 
and  the  allied  sciences.  It  is  stated  by  competent  authority  that  "  this 
library  not  only  contains  more  medical  literature  than  the  British  Museum 


albaugh's  grand  opera  house  and  infantry  armory. 


232 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


NATIONAL   rifles'  ARMORY. 


or  the  National  Library  of  France,  but  that  it  covers  a  wider  field,  and  is 
a  better  practical  reference  and  working  collection  for  medical  purposes 
than  either  of  these  great  libraries."  The  library  was  begun  in  1830  by 
Surgeon-General  Lovell,  but  for  many  years  only  numbered  a  few  hun- 
dred books.  In  1865  it  had  two  thousand  books,  and  in  1872  nearly  thir- 
teen thousand.  Within  a  few  years  the  increase  has  been  very  great,  owing 
largely  to  the  fact  that  physicians  in  various  parts  of  the  country  donate  to 
it  their  books  and  pamphlets.  It  has  books  in  all  the  principal  European 
languages,  and  some  of  the  volumes  are  over  two  hundred  years  old. 
Physicians  are  permitted  to  use  the  library  gratuitously.  A  fire-proof 
building  is  shortly  to  be  erected  on  the  grounds  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institution,  at  a  cost  of  ;$200,000,  for  the  library  and  medical  museum. 

The  building  erected  in  1884  by  the  Washington  Light  Infantry,  on 
Fifteenth  street,  south  of  Pennsylvania  avenue,  is  of  imposing  proportions, 
and  unique  and  graceful  in  its  architecture.  The  infantry  organization 
occupies  a  part  of  the  building,  and  the  remainder  is  Albaugh's  Grand 
Opera  House,  one  of  the  largest  and  most  magnificent  theatres  in  the 
country.  The  National  Rifles'  armory  on  G  street  is  a  handsome  brick 
structure,  excellently  arranged  for  military  purposes. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


233 


YOUNG   men's   christian   ASSOCIATION   BUILDING. 


The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  occupies  a  pretty  building  on 
New  York  avenue.  The  association  has  a  free  reading-room  well  supplied 
with  newspapers  and  periodicals,  and  in  its  special  line  is  constantly 
accomplishing  a  very  beneficial  work. 

At  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  city,  on  the  banks  of  the  Anacostia, 
is  the  jail  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  It  is  a  stone  structure,  and  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  ;^400,ooo.  In  this  jail  Guiteau  was  executed,  and 
many  other  murderers  have  here  paid  the  extreme  penalty  of  the  law. 

The  Washington  Navy  Yard  has  an  excellent  location  on  the  Anacostia 
about  a  mile  southeast  of  the  Capitol.  It  is  under  the  direction  of  the 
Bureau  of  Yards  and  Docks  of  the  Navy  Department,  and  its  command- 
ing officer  is  a  commodore  of  the  navy.  It  was  established  shortly  after 
the  government  took  possession  of  the  capital  city,  and  during  the  British 
invasion  in  18 14  its  workshops  and  other  buildings  were  destroyed.  For 
more  than  half  a  century  many  of  the  largest  and  finest  ships  of  war 
possessed  by  the  United  States  were  constructed  in  this  yard.  At  present 
it  is  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  ordnance  and  various  articles  used  in 
the  equipment  of  naval  vessels.     It  has  great  workshops  and  foundries, 


234 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


employing  many  men.  In  the  naval  museum  attached  to  the  yard  are 
extensive  collections  of  relics  and  other  objects  of  interest.  Near  the 
yard  are  the  Marine  Barracks,  where  the  marine  corps  of  the  navy  has  its 
headquarters. 

The  General  Land  Office,  which  is  a  bureau  of  the  Department  of  the 
Interior,  is  charged  with  the  care  of  the  vast  domain  belonging  to  the 
government  known  as  the  public  lands.  It  is  under  the  supervision  of  a 
commissioner,  whose  salary  is  ^$4000  per  year,  and  has  about  five  hundred 
officials  and  clerks.  The  work  of  this  bureau  is  very  important,  and 
requires  the  most  competent  and  intelligent  consideration.  In  the  division 
devoted  to  the  examination  of  contested  homestead  cases  there  is  a  great 
accumulation  of  business,  and  in  all  the  other  divisions  the  business  is  in 
arrears  because  it  cannot  possibly  be  disposed  of  promptly  on  account  of 
the  lack  of  a  sufficient  working  force.  All  the  work  of  this  bureau  has 
to  be  done  very  carefully,  and  it  requires  a  long  time  to  examine  and 
decide  the  majority  of  the  matters  brought  up.  The  public  lands  yet  to 
be  disposed  of  amount  to  nearly  1,900,000,000  acres,  situated  in  nineteen 
states  and  territories.  About  one-half  of  this  vast  estate  has  been  sur- 
veyed by  the  surveyors-general  of  the  government,  and  is  open  for  settle- 
ment. The  unsurveyed  lands  include  all  the  Indian  reservations.  Land 
offices  are  established  in  the  districts  where  the  public  lands  are  situated, 
each  office  being  in  charge  of  an  official  designated  as  Register  of  the 
Land  Office.  In  these  offices  all  the  records  of  the  surveyed  lands  are 
kept,  and  all  applications  for  lands  under  the  homestead,  pre-emption,  and 
timber  culture  laws  are  filed. 

There  are  two  classes  of  the  public  lands.  The  lands  of  the  first  class 
are  the  alternate  sections  reserved  by  the  government  in  all  the  grants  of 


THE  DISTRICT  JAIL. 


!    "  ''1   * 

'".       n      'I'f,  '  V         i,    'i 


«''  .^  «'» 


^Vi  ill 

i  1      III 


236 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


ODD   FELLOWS'   BUILDING. 


lands  to  railroad  corporations.  They  are  held  at  a  minimum  price  of  two 
dollars  and  a  half  per  acre.  The  lands  of  the  second  class  are  those 
situated  away  from  the  lines  of  railroads.  They  are  held  at  a  minimum 
price  of  one  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre.  These  lands  can  be  acquired 
by  purchase  or  by  settlement  under  the  homestead  laws.  The  right  to 
acquire  eighty  acres  of  the  first-class  lands,  or  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  the  second-class,  is  given  to  every  citizen  of  the  United  States  by 
the  homestead  laws  if  he  will  take  up  his  residence  on  the  tract  selected 
and  actually  cultivate  it  five  years.  All  the  payment  he  will  have  to  make 
will  be  for  the  legal  fees  and  commissions,  which  range  from  seven  to 
thirty-four  dollars.  At  the  expiration  of  the  five  years  of  residence  and 
cultivation  a  patent,  or  full  title,  to  the  land  is  issued  by  the  land  office  at 
Washington. 

One  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  any  part  of  the  surveyed 
territory  not  previously  claimed  may  be  taken  up  by  an  actual  settler 
under  the  pre-emption  law,  and  purchased  by  him  at  the  price  per  acre 
affixed  to  the  section  by  the  government.     Before  the  full  title  is  obtained 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


237 


certain  provisions  of  the  law  have  to  be  complied  with.  Under  the  timber 
culture  laws,  which  were  enacted  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  growth 
of  trees  on  the  public  domain,  any  settler  on  a  homestead  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres,  who  has  planted  and  cultivated  for  two  years  ten  acres  of 
trees,^receives  the  patent  for  his  homestead  in  three  years  instead  of  five. 
Settlers  on  homesteads  of  eighty  acres,  who  plant  and  cultivate  five  acres 
of  trees  for  two  years,  are  also  allowed  the  same  reduction  of  time  in  the 
issuing  of  their  patents.  Over  eighty  millions  of  acres  of  the  public  lands 
have  been  disposed  of  under  the  homestead  laws  since  1870. 

Another  important  bureau  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior  is  the 
Bureau  of  Indian  Affairs.  All  matters  concerning  the  nearly  250,000 
Indians  who  are  cared  for  by  the  government  are  in  the  charge  of  this 
bureau.  The  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  has  a  salary  of  ^4000  per 
year,  and  his  office  force  consists  of  about  one  hundred  officials  and  clerks. 
Upon  the  Indian  reservations  in  the  far  west  are  fifty-nine  agencies  whose 
officials  report  to  the  bureau  at  Washington.  About  eight  million  dollars 
are  expended  for  the  Indian  tribes  every  year. 

The  Bureau  of  Education,  which  is  under  the  direction  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Interior,  was  established  in  1867  for  the  purpose  of  collecting 
and  diffi-ising  reliable  information  in  regard  to  education  in  the  United 
States  and  in  foreign  countries,  and  for  other  purposes  connected  with 
educational  work.  The  bureau  is  in  charge  of  a  commissioner,  with  a 
salary  of  ^3000  per  year,  and  has  about  fifty  clerks.     The  reports  of  the 


BANKING-HOUSE    OF    RIGGS    &    CO. 
(This  building  was  originally  occupied  by  the  historic  United  States  Bank.) 


238 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


ANCIENT    ARCHITECTURE. 


bureau  are  widely  circulated,  and  have  great  value  for  those  interested  in 
the  schools  and  colleges  of  the  country. 

The  Ordnance  Museum  of  the  War  Department  is  contained  in 
Winder's  building,  on  Seventeenth  street.  This  museum  has  large  col- 
lections of  arms,  relics  of  the  various  wars,  and  other  military  articles. 
The  collections  of  relics  pertaining  to  the  Civil  War  are  very  interesting 
and  valuable.     The  museum  is  open  daily  for  public  inspection. 

In  the  city  of  Washington  there  are  two  thousand  Odd  Fellows,  with 
fourteen  lodges  and  four  encampments.  The  order  has  a  fine  brick 
building  on  Seventh  street.  In  the  upper  story  of  the  Odd  Fellows' 
building  are  the  lodge  and  encampment  rooms,  all  of  which  are  elegantly 
furnished  and  adorned. 

The  building  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and 
Fifteenth  street,  now  occupied  by  the  banking-house  of  Riggs  and  Com- 
pany, was  originally  occupied  by  the  historic  United  States  Bank.  This 
financial  institution,  in  which  the  government  was  a  large  stockholder, 
was  bitterly  opposed  by  President  Jackson,  and  by  his  orders  the  deposits 
of  government  funds  in  it  were  removed.  This  crippled  the  bank,  and  it 
wound  up  its  affairs  in  1837  with  the  loss  of  its  entire  capital. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

SKETCHES  OF  MOUNT  VERNON,  THE  HOME  OF  WASHINGTON— THE  ANCIENT  MANSION 
—THE  TOMB  OF  WASHINGTON— THE  MARBLE  SARCOPHAGUS— WASHINGTON'S  LIFE 
AT  MOUNT  VERNON— AN  ACCOUNT  OF  HIS  DEATH  AND  BURIAL— THE  CONGRES- 
SIONAL FUNERAL  CEREMONY-WASHINGTON'S  WILL— THE  VARIOUS  LEGACIES— 
THE  HEIRS  TO  MOUNT  VERNON. 

IXTEEN  miles  below  the  capital  city  is  Mount  Vernon,  the 
venerated  home  of  Washington.  The  estate  is  situated  in 
Fairfax  county,  Virginia,  and  borders  on  the  western  shore 
of  the  Potomac.  Originally  it  comprised  about  six  thousand 
acres  and  was  divided  into  five  farms,  on  which  large  crops  of  wheat, 
corn,  and  tobacco  were  raised.  It  was  considered  one  of  the  finest  estates 
in  that  part  of  Virginia,  and  in  Washington's  time  was  carefully  culti- 
vated and  improved.  What  is  now  known  as  Mount  Vernon  is  but  a  few 
acres  in  extent,  and  is  a  part  of  what  was  originally  designated  as  "the 
mansion-house  farm."  It  is  in  the  possession  of  the  Mount  Vernon 
Association,  which  was  incorporated  in  1856  expressly  for  the  purpose 
of  acquiring  the  estate,  in  order  that  it  might  be  forever  retained  for  the 
benefit  of  the  American  people.  The  association  purchased  it  in  i860 
for  ;$200,000,  which  sum  was  contributed  in  large  and  small  amounts  by 
people  in  all  the  states.  It  can  never  go  out  of  the  possession  of  the 
association,  and  must  be  carefully  protected  and  preserved.  The  State  of 
Virginia  has  the  supervision  of  it,  and  annually  a  board  of  state  officials 
inspect  it  and  make  a  report  as  to  its  condition.  The  utmost  care  is 
taken  of  it,  and  it  will  always  remain  the  chief  of  America's  historic 
treasures. 

Washington  inherited  Mount  Vernon  when  he  was  a  little  over 
twenty-one  years  old.  His  half-brother,  Lawrence  Washington,  received 
the  estate  at  the  death  of  his  father,  named  it  Mount  Vernon  in  honor  of 
Admiral  Edward  Vernon,  of  the  British  navy,  erected  the  mansion  and 
brick  barn  which  now  remain,  and  lived  on  the  estate  for  some  years. 
When  he  died  his  infant  daughter  was  the  heir,  but  she  survived  her 
father  only  a  short  time.     George  Washington  then  came  into  possession 

239 


240  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

of  the  estate,  and  when  he  had  closed  his  service  with  General  Braddock 
he  took  up  his  residence  on  it.  In  1759  he  married  Martha  Dandridge 
Custis, — "  the  rich  widow  Custis,"  as  she  was  called, — and  thereafter  for 
over  forty  years  Mount  Vernon  was  his  home, — the  one  dear  spot  to 
which  he  turned  for  cheer  and  comfort,  for  peaceful  domestic  joys,  when- 
ever he  was  able  to  throw  off  the  burdens  and  responsibilities  of  public 
life. 

Visitors  to  Mount  Vernon  are  transported  from  the  city  of  Washington 
by  the  fine  steamboat  W.  W.  Corcoran,  which  makes  daily  trips  down  the 
Potomac.  The  steamboat  is  commanded  by  Captain  L.  L.  Blake,  who  has 
had  a  long  experience  in  navigating  the  river,  and  who  is  exceedingly 
popular  with  the  public  by  reason  of  his  unfailing  courtesy  and  careful 
attention  to  all  who  make  the  trip  to  Washington's  home.  As  has  been 
fitly  said,  "  Mount  Vernon  has  become,  like  Jerusalem  and  Mecca,  the 
resort  of  people  of  all  nations  who  come  within  its  vicinity."  Daily, 
winter  a'nd  summer,  there  are  many  visitors  to  the  estate,  and  on  some 
days  the  number  is  very  large.  During  1884  the  number  of  visitors 
aggregated  seventeen  thousand.  The  estate  has  a  superintendent,  and  its 
lands  are  devoted  largely  to  the  pasturage  of  Ayrshire  cattle. 

In  the  summer  Mount  Vernon  is  a  mass  of  foliage  to  the  river's  edge. 
It  has  a  great  growth  of  ancient  trees  and  luxuriant  undergrowth.  Like 
all  the  region  in  which  it  is  located,  it  is  thickly  wooded,  and  from  the 
river  has  an  exceedingly  picturesque  appearance.  The  mansion  is  very 
nearly  concealed  by  the  trees  surrounding  it.  There  is  only  one  place  as 
you  approach  it  from  the  north  where  it  can  be  seen  at  all.  Approaching 
it  from  the  south  nothing  of  it  can  be  seen  save  a  small  part  of  the  roof 
From  the  south  the  river  curves  directly  to  the  estate.  Until  you  get 
within  a  short  distance  of  it  a  high,  jutting  bank  hides  it  from  view. 
When  the  bank  is  passed  the  estate  comes  boldly  in  sight  and  presents  a 
most  beautiful  appearance.  It  is  located  on  an  elevation, — the  highest 
point  on  the  Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac, — and  from  the  grounds 
delightful  views  of  river  and  shore  can  be  obtained  through  openings  in 
the  groves  of  trees. 

The  mansion  in  which  Washington  lived  from  early  manhood  till  his 
death  is  a  wooden  structure  ninety-six  feet  long  and  thirty  feet  wide,  and 
has  two  stories  and  an  attic.  A  portico  of  panelled  columns  extends 
across  its  whole  eastern  or  river  front.  It  has  a  peaked  roof  with  a 
cupola.  On  the  western  front  is  a  circular  driveway  leading  to  the  public 
road,  and  on  the  sides  of  the  driveway  are  lawns  and  gardens  and  small 
brick  houses  for  servants.  On  the  eastern  front  is  a  spacious  lawn 
sloping  to  the  river.     The  interior  of  the  mansion  is  plainly  constructed. 


242  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

Most  of  the  rooms  are  rather  small.  The  state  parlor,  so  called,  is  the 
largest  room,  and  that  is  not  remarkable  for  size.  The  parlor  has  a 
beautiful  mantel  of  variegated  Sienna  marble,  sculptured  artistically.  On 
its  panels  are  objects  of  agriculture  and  husbandry  in  bas-relief.  There 
is  a  spacious  hallway  in  the  centre  of  the  mansion.  On  the  first  floor 
there  are  six  rooms,  furnished  by  the  Mount  Vernon  Association  with 
antique  articles.  There  are  a  few  pieces  of  furniture  in  the  rooms  which 
belonged  to  Washington,  but  only  a  few.  Most  of  his  furniture  was  dis- 
posed of  by  his  heirs  after  the  death  of  Martha  Washington. 

The  second  story  contains  a  number  of  sleeping-rooms.  The  room 
in  which  Washington  died  is  in  this  story.  It  is  the  largest  of  the  rooms, 
and  has  been  arranged  nearly  as  possible  as  it  was  on  the  night  of  his 
death.  It  contains  the  mahogany  bedstead,  six  feet  square,  on  which  he 
lay,  and  several  other  pieces  of  furniture  he  used.  It  has  also  a  number 
of  articles  used  by  him  during  his  military  campaigns.  Directly  above 
this  room,  in  the  attic,  is  the  room  occupied  by  Martha  Washington  after 
her  husband's  death. 

Some  three  hundred  yards  south  of  the  mansion  is  the  old  family 
vault,  "  situated  on  the  declivity  of  a  deep  dell  and  surrounded  by  trees 
of  a  large  growth."  For  many  years  Washington's  body  remained  in 
this  vault.  In  1828  a  new  tomb  was  constructed  at  the  foot  of  what  was 
called  "  the  vineyard  enclosure,"  a  short  distance  from  the  old  tomb,  and 
the  bodies  of  Washington  and  his  wife  and  the  other  members  of  his 
family  were  deposited  in  it.  In  1837,  John  Struthers,  a  marble  mason  of 
Philadelphia,  offered  to  construct  a  marble  coffin  or  sarcophagus  for 
Washington's  remains.  The  offer  was  accepted  by  Washington's  heirs, 
and  in  October  of  that  year  the  coffin  arrived  at  Mount  Vernon.  It  was 
thought  best  to  place  the  coffin  in  the  outer  enclosure  of  the  tomb,  in 
order  that  it  might  be  protected  from  dampness,  and  Washington's  body 
was  therefore  removed  from  the  interior  of  the  tomb,  where  it  was  sur- 
rounded by  the  bodies  of  his  relatives.  One  who  was  present  during  the 
removal  says : 

"  The  coffin  containing  the  remains  of  Washington  was  in  the  ex- 
treme back  part  of  the  vault,  and  to  remove  the  case  containing  the 
leaden  receptacle  it  was  found  necessary  to  put  aside  the  coffins  that  were 
piled  up  between  it  and  the  doorway.  After  clearing  a  passageway,  the 
case,  which  was  much  decayed,  was  stripped  off,  and  the  lead  of  the  lid 
was  discovered  to  have  sunk  very  considerably  from  head  to  foot;  so 
much  so,  as  to  form  a  curved  line  of  four  to  five  inches  in  its  whole 
length.  This  settlement  of  the  metal  had  perhaps  caused  the  soldering 
of  the  joints  to  give  way  about  the  upper  or  widest  part  of  the  coffin. 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


243 


This  fractured  part  was  turned  over  on  the  lower  part  of  the  Hd,  exposing 
to  view  a  head  and  breast  of  large  dimensions,  which  appeared  by  the 
dim  light  of  the  candles  to  have  suffered  but  little  from  the  effects  of 
time.  The  eye-sockets  were  large  and  deep,  and  the  breadth  across  the 
temples,  together  with  the  forehead,  appeared  of  unusual  size.  There 
was  no  appearance  of  grave-clothes  ;  the  chest  was  broad ;  the  color  was 
dark,  and  had  the  appearance  of  dried  flesh  and  skin  adhering  to  the 
bones.  We  saw  no  hair,  nor  was  there  any  offensive  odor  from  the  body. 
A  hand  was  laid  upon  the  head  and  instantly  removed ;  the  lead  of  the 
lid  was  restored  to  its  place ;  the  body,  raised  by  six  men,  was  carried 
and  laid  in  the  marble  coffin,  and  the  ponderous  cover  being  put  on  and 
set  in  cement,  it  was  sealed  from  our  sight  on  Saturday,  the  7th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1837." 

The  tomb  extends  into  a  bank,  and  is  constructed  of  brick.  It  has  an 
interior  vault  over  which  is  a  stone  panel  inscribed,  "  I  am  the  Resurrec- 
tion and  Life ;  he  that  believeth  in  Me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he 
live."  An  enclosure  of  brickwork  surrounds  the  tomb.  On  the  front  is 
an  iron  gate,  above  which,  on  a  plain  slab,  are  the  words,  "  Within  this 
enclosure  rest  the  remains  of  General  George  Washington." 

The  marble  sarcophagus  containing  Washington's  remains  is  placed 
directly  in  front  of  the  opening  of  the  tomb,  and  is  plainly  visible  through 
the  gate.  It  is  eight  feet  in  length,  three  feet  wide,  and  two  feet  high,  and 
rests  on  a  plinth  which  projects  several  inches  round  the  base.  It  was 
excavated  from  a  solid  block  of  Pennsylvania  marble,  and  its  lid,  or 
covering  stone,  is  of  Italian  marble.  On  the  lid  are  sculptured  in  bold 
relief  the  arms  and  insignia  of  the  United  States,  and  lower  down,  upon 
the  plain  field  of  the  lid,  is  deeply  and  boldly  sculptured  the  name, 
"  Washington." 

The  remains  of  Mrs.  Washington  are  deposited  in  a  similar  marble 
sarcophagus,  which  is  placed  a  io.^  feet  from  the  other.  Her  sarcophagus 
is  inscribed,  "Martha,  consort  of  Washington.  Died  May  21st,  1801, 
aged  71  years." 

Augustine  Washington,  the  father  of  George  Washington,  died  in 
1743,  leaving  a  large  landed  estate.  George  was  the  eldest  of  five  children 
by  a  second  marriage.  He  was  born  February  22,  1732,  in  Westmoreland 
county,  Virginia,  where  his  father  cultivated  an  extensive  plantation.  He 
inherited  the  lands  his  father  possessed  in  Westmoreland  county,  and  the 
"  Hunting  creek  estate,"  afterwards  renamed  Mount  Vernon,  was  inherited 
by  Lawrence  Washington,  the  eldest  son  by  a  first  marriage.  In  his 
youth  George  Washington  was  engaged  for  several  years  in  surveying 
the  western  lands  of  Lord  Fairfax,  and  afterwards  performed  military  duty 


244 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


under  General 
Braddock.  On 
January  7,  1759, 
he  was  married 
to  Martha  Dan- 
dridge  Custis,  the 
widow  of  Daniel 
Parke  Custis,  and 
daughter  of  John 
Dandridge,  of  Vir- 
ginia. Mrs.  Custis 
was  three  months 


WEST   FRONT   MOUNT   VERNON   MANSION. 


TOMB   OK   WASHINGTON. 

older  than  Colonel 
Washington,  and  was 
"  distinguished  alike 
for  her  beauty,  ac- 
complishments, and 
wealth."  She  had 
two  children,  a  son 
of  six  years  and  a 
daughter  of  f  o  u  r. 
After  their  marriage 
Washington  and  his 
wife  lived  for  three 
months  near  Williamsburg,  Virginia,  in  order  that  he  might  attend  the 
session  of  the  state  legislature,  of  which  he  was  a  member.  At  the  close 
of  the  session  they  took  up  their  residence  at  Mount  Vernon. 

For  sixteen  years  Washington  cultivated  his  great  farm  and  lived  the 
usual  life  of  a  Virginia  planter.  He  raised  large  quantities  of  tobacco, 
which  he  shipped  to  London  direct  from  his  own  wharf  at  Mount  Vernon. 
He  had  no  ambition  for  public  life  after  his  term  of  service  in  the  Virginia 
legislature  had  expired,  and  was  content  with  the  pursuit  "of  agriculture 
and  the  social  pleasures  of  a  country  gentleman.  He  had  some  of  the 
best  society  in  Virginia, — "  the  polite,  wealthy,  and  fashionable," — was  a 
profuse  and  liberal  host,  was  fond  of  fox  hunting,  fishing,  fowling,  and 
athletic  sports,  and  was  happy  in  his  home  and  domestic  relations.  His 
wife  was  thoroughly  domestic  in  her   tastes    and  habits,  and  a  careful 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


245 


housekeeper.  She  prided  herself  on  her  knitting  and  spinning,  and 
wove  many  of  her  own  dresses,  and  even  some  of  her  husband's  clothes. 
The  suit  Washington  wore  when  he  was  inaugurated  as  President  was 
woven  at  Mount  Vernon.  In  his  early  manhood  Washington  appeared 
as  "  a  very  proper  young  fellow,  six  feet  tall,  rather  stately  in  carriage, 
and  exceedingly  fond  of  dancing  and  gay  society." 

In  1775  he  became  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  in 
June  of  that  year  the  Congress  appointed  him  as  Commander-in-Chief  of 
the  Continental  Army.  All  through  the  Revolutionary  War,  a  period 
of  more  than  eight  years,  he  was  compelled  to  be  absent  from  Mount 
Vernon.  Mrs.  Washington  was  with  him  during  several  of  the  cam- 
paigns. In  a  letter  written  in  1811  by  a  gentleman  of  South  Carolina, 
who  was  the  captain  of  a  company  serving  in  the  Revolution,  is  the 
following  personal  description  of  Washington  as  he  appeared  during  the 
War: 

"  In  the  first  place,  you  should  know  that  Washington  was  not  what 
the  ladies  call  a  pretty  man.  It  seems  that  fate  has  destined  handsome 
men  for  other  purposes  than  heroic  endeavor.  But  in  military  costume  he 
was  a  splendid  figure,  such  as  would  impress  the  memory  ever  afterwards. 
The  first  time  I  was  ever  brought  in  contact  with  the  great  hero  was  three 
days  before  the  crossing  of  the  Delaware.  It  was  under  the  most  un- 
favorable circumstances,  as  the  weather  was  bitterly  cold,  and  a  fierce  wind 
was  blowing.  Washington  had  a  large,  thick  nose,  and  it  was  very  red 
that  day,  giving  me  the  impression  that  he  was  not  so  moderate  in  his  use 
of  liquors  as  he  was  supposed  to  be.  I  found  afterwards  that  this  was  a 
peculiarity.  His  nose  was  apt  to  turn  scarlet  in  a  cold  wind.  He  was 
standing  near  a  small  camp  fire,  evidently  lost  in  thought,  and  making  no 
effort  to  keep  warm.  He  seemed  six  feet  and  a  half  in  height,  and  was  as 
erect  as  an  Indian,  and  did  not  for  a  moment  relax  from  a  military  attitude. 
Washington's  exact  height  was  six  feet  two  inches  in  his  boots.  He  was 
then  a  little  lame  from  striking  his  knee  against  a  tree.  His  eye  was  so 
gray  that  it  looked  almost  white,  and  he  had  a  troubled  look  on  his  color- 
less face.  He  had  a  piece  of  woolen  tied  around  his  throat,  and  was  quite 
hoarse.  Perhaps  the  throat  trouble  from  which  he  died  had  its  origin 
about  that  time.  Washington's  boots  were  enormous.  They  were  No.  13. 
His  ordinary  walking  shoes  were  No.  ii.  His  hands  were  large  in  pro- 
portion, and  he  could  not  buy  a  glove  to  fit  him,  and  had  to  have  his  gloves 
made  to  order.  His  mouth  was  his  strong  feature,  the  lips  being  always 
tightly  compressed.  That  day  they  were  compressed  so  tightly  as  to  be 
painful  to  look  at.  At  that  time  he  weighed  two  hundred  pounds,  and 
there  was  no  surplus  flesh  about  him.     He  was  tremendously  muscled, 


246 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


and  the  fame  of  his  great  strength  was  everywhere.  His  huge  tent  when 
wrapped  up  with  the  poles  was  so  heavy  that  it  required  two  men  to  place 
it  in  the  camp  wagon.  Washington  could  lift  it  with  one  hand  and  throw 
it  in  the  wagon  as  easily  as  if  it  were  a  pair  of  saddle-bags.  He  could 
hold  a  musket  with  one  hand  and  shoot  with  precision  as  easily  as  other 
men  did  with  a  horse-pistol.  His  lungs  were  his  weak  point,  and  there  he 
was  never  strong.  He  was  at  that  time  in  the  prime  of  life.  His  hair  was 
a  chestnut  brown,  his  cheeks  were  prominent  and  his  head  was  not  large, 
in  contrast  to  every  other  part  of  his  body,  which  seemed  large  and  bony 
at  all  points.  His  finger  joints  and  wrists  were  so  large  as  to  be  genuine 
curiosities." 

Washington  resigned  his  commission  as  commander  of  the  army  at 
Annapolis,  December  23,  1783,  and  immediately  went  to  Mount  Vernon. 
Congress  had  offered  him  ;^500  per  month  as  compensation  for  his  services 
during  the  war,  but  he  declined  to  accept  any  compensation.  He  had  been 
the  saviour  of  his  country,  and  he  retired  to  private  life  crowned  with 
laurels.  < 

He  immediately  began  to  repair  his  fortune,  which  had  been  somewhat 
diminished  by  the  war.  He  began  a  precise  system  of  cultivation  of  his 
farm,  and  in  various  ways  sought  to  improve  his  resources.  He  extended 
his  mansion,  built  new  cabins  for  his  negroes,  and  labored  earnestly  at  the 
occupations  of  his  early  years.  At  this  time  he  wrote  to  General  Lafayette, 
"  I  am  become  a  private  citizen  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  and,  under 
the  shadow  of  my  own  vine  and  fig-tree,  I  am  solacing  myself  with  tran- 
quil enjoyments."  To  General  Knox  he  wrote,  "  I  feel  now  as  I  conceive 
a  wearied  traveller  must  do,  who,  after  treading  many  a  painful  step  with  a 
heavy  burden  on  his  shoulders,  is  eased  of  the  latter,  having  reached  the 
haven  to  which  all  the  former  were  directed." 

Mount  Vernon  was  open  to  all  who  came.  He  had  many  visitors — 
soldiers  of  the  war,  distinguished  foreigners,  artists,  statesmen,  men  and 
women  of  the  highest  social  rank.  He  entertained  Lafayette,  for  whom 
he  had  a  warm  friendship ;  he  gave  balls  and  receptions,  and  was  disposed 
to  take  some  pleasure  and  recreation  after  the  toilsome  military  work  he 
had  performed.  For  over  five  years  he  remained  at  Mount  Vernon,  busy 
with  the  care  of  his  estate;  but  in  1789  he  was  elected  as  the  first  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  and  on  April  16  of  that  year  he  left  his  home 
for  New  York  to  assume  the  great  office.  He  wrote  in  his  diary  the  day 
he  left  home,  "About  ten  o'clock  I  bade  adieu  to  Mount  Vernon,  to 
private  life,  and  to  domestic  felicity ;  and,  with  a  mind  oppressed  with 
more  anxious  and  painful  sensations  than  I  have  words  to  express,  set 
out  for   New  York  with  the   best  disposition   to   render   service   to   my 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


247 


country  in    obedience   to  its   call,  but   with   less    hope  of   answering   its 
expectations." 

For  eight  years  he  was  President,  retiring  from  the  office  on  the  4th 
of  March,  1797.  From  this  time  until  his  death  Washington  never  left 
Mount  Vernon  for  a  single  night.  During  the  short  time  that  was  left  him 
on  earth  he  confined  himself  to  "  putting  his  house  in  order,"  being  seem- 
ingly aware  that,  as  he  came  of  a  short-lived  family,  he  had  not  long  to 
live.     His  hair  was  gray,  his  form  was  slightly  bent,  and  his  chest  was 

thin.  He  had  lost  the 
greater  part  of  his  old- 
time  vigor,  and  was  slower 
in  his  movements,  less  in- 
clined to  undertake  new 
tasks,  and  disposed  to 
shun  the  gay  society  he 
had  formerly  enjoyed. 
He  superintended  his 
farming    operations,    and 


WASHINGTON  S  BED 
CHAMBER. 


on  every  pleas- 
ant day  rode 
over  his  lands. 
He  was  a  rather 
reserved  man, 
speaking  but 
little,  and  never 
of  himself.  His 
adopted  daugh- 
ter has  said, 
"I  never  heard 
him     relate     a 


smgie 


act     of 
his  life.     I  have  sometimes  made  him  lausfh 
heartily  from  sympathy  with  my  joyous  and 
extravagant  spirits,"     At  night  he  liked  to 
be  surrounded  by  his  family, — his  wife  and 


^     \      '■ 

PARLOR    IN    MOUNT    VERNON 
MANSION. 


248 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


adopted  children,  and  his  nieces  and  nephews,  who  frequently  visited  him, 
— and  would  seem  to  greatly  enjoy  their  conversation  and  frolics.  In  the 
summer  of  1799  he  made  his  will,  writing  the  lengthy  document  with  his 
own  hand  and  without  consulting  a  lawyer.  A  little  over  six  months 
from  the  time  the  will  was  finished  he  died  of  acute  laryngitis  in  his 
sixty-eighth  year. 

Immediately  after  the  death  of  Washington  a  complete  account  of  it 
was  written  by  Tobias  Lear,  who  was  his  private  secretary  and  intimate 
companion  for  many  years.  This  account,  which  was  the  only  one 
written,  has  been  preserved,  and,  as  it  has  been  garbled  and  distorted  in 
the  biographies  of  Washington,  it  is  herewith  presented  as  a  matter  of 
historical  reference  precisely  as  it  originally  appeared.  Mr.  Lear  dates 
his  account  "  Mount  Vernon,  Saturday,  December  14th,  1799,"  and  says  : 

"  This  day  has  been  marked  by  an  event  which  will  be  memorable  in 
the  history  of  America,  and,  perhaps,  of  the  world.  I  shall  give  a  par- 
ticular statement  of  it,  to  which  I  was  an  eye-witness. 

"On  Thursday,  December  12th,  the  General  rode  out  to  his  farms 
about  ten  o'clock,  and  did  not  return  home  till  past  three.  Soon  after 
he  went  out  the  weather  became  very  bad,  rain,  hail,  snow  falling  alter- 
nately, with  a  cold  wind.  When  he  came  in  I  carried  some  letters  to 
him  to  frank,  intending  to  send  them  to  the  post-office  in  the  evening. 
He  franked  the  letters,  but  said  the  weather  was  too  bad  to  send  a  servant 
to  the  office  that  evening.  I  observed  to  him  that  I  was  afraid  he  had 
got  wet.  He  said  no;  his  great-coat  had  kept  him  dry.  But  his  neck 
appeared  to  be  wet,  and  the  snow  was  hanging  upon  his  hair.  He  came 
to  dinner  (which  had  been  waiting  for  him)  without  changing  his  dress. 
In  the  evening  he  appeared  as  well  as  usual. 

"A  heavy  fall  of  snow  took  place  on  Friday,  which  prevented  the 
General  from  riding  out  as  usual.  He  had  taken  cold,  undoubtedly,  from 
being  so  much  exposed  the  day  before,  and  complained  of  a  sore  throat. 
He,  however,  went  out  in  the  afternoon  into  the  ground  between  the 
house  and  the  river  to  mark  some  trees  which  were  to  be  cut  down  in  the 
improvement  of  that  spot.  He  had  a  hoarseness,  which  increased  in  the 
^evening,  but  he  made  light  of  it. 

"  In  the  evening  the  papers  were  brought  from  the  post-office,  and  he 
sat  in  the  parlor  with  Mrs.  Washington  and  myself  reading  them  till 
about  nine  o'clock,  when  Mrs.  Washington  went  up  into  Mrs.  Lewis's 
room,  who  was  confined,  and  left  the  General  and  myself  reading  the 
papers.  He  was  very  cheerful,  and  when  he  met  with  anything  interesting 
or  entertaining  he  read  it  aloud,  as  well  as  his  hoarseness  would  permit. 
He  requested  me  to  read  to  him  the  debates  of  the  Virginia  Assembly  on 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  .  249 

the  election  of  a  Senator  and  Governor,  and,  on  hearing  of  Mr.  Madison's 
observations  respecting  Mr.  Monroe,  he  appeared  much  affected,  and 
spoke  with  some  degree  of  asperity  on  the  subject,  which  I  endeavored 
to  moderate,  as  I  always  did  on  such  occasions.  On  his  retiring  I 
observed  to  him  that  he  had  better  take  something  to  remove  his  cold. 
He  answered,  *  No;  you  know  I  never  take  anything  for  a  cold.  Let  it 
go  as  it  came.' 

"  Between  two  and  three  o'clock  on  Saturday  morning  he  awoke  Mrs. 
Washington,  and  told  her  that  he  was  very  unwell,  and  had  had  an  ague. 
She  observed  that  he  could  scarcely  speak,  and  breathed  with  difficulty, 
and  would  have  got  up  to  call  a  servant,  but  he  would  not  permit  her, 
lest  she  should  take  a  cold.  As  soon  as  the  day  appeared  the  woman 
(Caroline)  went  into  the  room  to  make  a  fire,  and  Mrs.  Washington  sent 
her  immediately  to  call  me.  I  got  up,  put  on  my  clothes  as  quickly  as 
possible,  and  went  to  his  chamber.  Mrs.  Washington  was  then  up,  and 
related  to  me  his  being  ill,  as  before  stated.  I  found  the  General  breathing 
with  difficulty,  and  hardly  able  to  utter  a  word  intelligibly.  He  desired 
Mr.  Rawlins  (one  of  the  overseers)  might  be  sent  for  to  bleed  him  before 
the  doctor  could  arrive.  I  despatched  a  servant  immediately  for  Rawlins, 
and  another  for  Dr.  Craik,  and  returned  again  to  the  General's  chamber, 
where  I  found  him  in  the  same  situation  as  I  had  left  him. 

"A  mixture  of  molasses,  vinegar,  and  butter  was  prepared  to  try  its 
effects  in  the  throat,  but  he  could  not  swallow  a  drop.  Whenever  he 
attempted  it  he  appeared  to  be  distressed,  convulsed,  and  almost  suffo- 
cated. Rawlins  came  in  soon  after  sunrise,  and  prepared  to  bleed  him. 
When  the  arm  was  ready  the  General,  observing  that  Rawlins  appeared 
to  be  agitated,  said,  as  well  as  he  could  speak,  '  Don't  be  afraid.'  And 
when  the  incision  was  made  he  observed,  'The  orifice  is  not  larsre 
enough.'  However,  the  blood  ran  pretty  freely.  Mrs,  Washington,  not 
knowing  whether  bleeding  was  proper  or  not  in  the  General's  situation, 
begged  that  much  might  not  be  taken  from  him,  lest  it  should  be  in- 
jurious, and  desired  me  to  stop  it;  but  when  I  was  about  to  untie  the 
string  the  General  put  up  his  hand  to  prevent  it,  and,  as  soon  as  he  could 
speak,  he  said,  '  More,  more.'  Mrs.  Washington  being  still  very  uneasy 
lest  too  much  blood  should  be  taken,  it  was  stopped  after  taking  about 
half  a  pint.  Finding  that  no  relief  was  obtained  from  bleeding,  and  that 
nothing  would  go  down  the  throat,  I  proposed  bathing  it  externally  with 
sal  volatile,  which  was  done;  and  in  the  operation,  which  was  with  the 
hand,  and  in  the  gentlest  manner,  he  observed,  '  It  is  very  sore.'  A  piece 
of  flannel  dipped  in  sal  volatile  was  put  around  his  neck,  and  his  feet 
bathed  in  warm  water,  but  without  affording  any  relief. 


250 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


THE  MOUNT  VERNON  STEAMBOAT. 


"  In  the  mean  time,  before  Dr.  Craik  arrived,  Mrs.  Washington  desired 
me  to  send  for  Dr.  Brown,  of  Port  Tobacco,  whom  Dr.  Craik  had  recom- 
mended to  be  called,  if  any  case  should  ever  occur  that  was  seriously 
alarming.  I  despatched  a  messenger  for  Dr.  Brown  between  eight  and 
nine  o'clock.  Dr.  Craik  came  in  soon  after,  and,  upon  examining  the 
General,  he  put  a  blister  of  cantharides  on  the  throat,  took  some  more 
blood  from  him,  and  had  a  gargle  of  vinegar  and  sage  tea  prepared ;  and 
ordered  some  vinegar  and  hot  water  for  him  to  inhale  the  steam  of  it, 
which  he  did ;  but  in  attempting  to  use  the  gargle  he  was  almost  suffo- 
cated. When  the  gargle  came  from  the  throat  some  phlegm  followed, 
and  he  attempted  to  cough,  which  the  doctor  encouraged  him  to  do  as 
much  as  possible;  but  he  could  only  attempt  it.  About  eleven  o'clock 
Dr.  Craik  requested  that  Dr.  DicJ^  might  be  sent  for,  as  he  feared  Dr. 
Brown  would  not  come  in  time.  A  messenger  was  accordingly  despatched 
for  him.  About  this  time  the  General  was  bled  again.  No  effect,  how- 
ever, was  produced  by  it,  and  he  remained  in  the  same  state,  unable  to 
swallow  anything. 

"  Dr.  Dick  came  about  three  o'clock,  and  Dr.  Brown  arrived  soon 
after.  Upon  Dr.  Dick's  seeing  the  General,  and  consulting  a  few  minutes 
with  Dr.  Craik,  he  was  bled  again.  The  blood  came  very  slow,  was 
thick,  and  did  not  produce  any  symptoms  of  fainting.  Dr.  Brown  came 
into  the  chamber  soon  after,  and,  upon  feeling  the  General's  pulse,  the 
physicians  went  out  together.  Dr.  Craik  returned  soon  after.  The 
General  could  now  swallow  a  little.  Calomel  and  tartar  emetic  were 
administered,  but  without  any  effect. 

"  About  four  o'clock  he  desired  me  to  call  Mrs.  Washington  to  his 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  25  I 

bedside,  when  he  requested  her  to  go  down  into  his  room  and  take  from 
his  desk  two  wills  which  she  would  find  there  and  bring  them  to  him, 
which  she  did.  Upon  looking  at  them,  he  gave  her  one,  which  he 
observed  was  useless,  as  being  superseded  by  the  other,  and  desired  her 
to  burn  it,  which  she  did,  and  took  the  other  and  put  it  into  her  closet. 

"  After  this  was  done  I  returned  to  his  bedside  and  took  his  hand. 
He  said  to  me,  '  I  find  I  am  going.  My  breath  cannot  last  long.  I 
believed  from  the  first  that  the  disorder  would  prove  fatal.  Do  you 
arrange  and  record  all  my  late  military  letters  and  papers.  Arrange  my 
accounts  and  settle  my  books,  as  you  know  more  about  them  than  any 
one  else,  and  let  Mr.  Rawlins  finish  recording  my  other  letters  which  he 
has  begun.'  I  told  him  this  should  be  done.  He  then  asked  if  I  recol- 
lected anything  which  it  was  essential  for  him  to  do,  as  he  had  but  a 
very  short  time  to  continue  with  us.  I  told  him  that  I  could  recollect 
nothing,  but  that  I  hoped  he  was  not  so  near  his  end.  He  observed, 
smiling,'  that  he  certainly  was,  and  that,  as  it  was  the  debt  which  we  must 
all  pay,  he  looked  to  the  event  with  perfect  resignation. 

"  In  the  course  of  the  afternoon  he  appeared  to  be  in  great  pain  and 
distress  from  the  difficulty  of  breathing,  and  frequently  changed  his  pos- 
ture in  the  bed.  On  these  occasions  I  lay  upon  the  bed  and  endeavored 
to  raise  him,  and  turn  him  with  as  much  ease  as  possible.  He  appeared 
penetrated  with  gratitude  for  my  attentions,  and  often  said,  '  I  am  afraid 
I  shall  fatigue  you  too  much  ;'  and  upon  my  assuring  him  that  I  could 
feel  nothing  but  a  wish  to  give  him  ease,  he  replied.  '  Well,  it  is  a  debt  we 
must  pay  to  each  other,  and  I  hope  when  you  want  help  of  this  knid 

you  will  find  it.' 

'•  He  asked  when  Mr.  Lewis  and  Washington  Custis  would  return 
(they   were    then    in   New   Kent).      1^  told   him    about   the    20th   of    the 

month. 

"About  five  o'clock  Dr.  Craik  came  again  into  the  room,  and,  upon 
going  to  the  bedside,  the  General  said  to  him,  '  Doctor,  I  die  hard,  but  I 
am  iK)t  afraid  to  go.  I  believed  from  my  first  attack  that  I  should  not 
survive  it.  My  breath  cannot  last  long.'  The  doctor  pressed  his  hand, 
but  could  not  utter  a  word.  He  retired  from  the  bedside,  and  sat  by  the 
fire  absorbed  in  grief. 

"  Between  five  and  six  o'clock  Dr.  Dick  and  Dr.  Brown  came  into  the 
room,  and  with  Dr.  Craik  went  to  the  bed,  when  Dr.  Craik  asked  him  if 
he  could  sit  up  in  the  bed.  He  held  out  his  hand,  and  I  raised  him  up. 
He  then  said  to  the  physicians,  '  I  feel  myself  going ;  I  thank  you  for 
your  attentions,  but  I  pray  you  take  no  more  trouble  about  me.  Let  me 
go  off  quietly.     I  cannot  last  long.'     They  found  that  all  which  had  been 


2C2  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

done  was  without  effect.  He  lay  down  again,  and  all  retired  except  Dr. 
Craik.  He  continued  in  the  same  situation, — uneasy  and  restless, — but 
without  complaining,  frequently  asking  what  hour  it  was.  When  I  helped 
him  to  move  at  this  time  he  did  not  speak,  but  looked  at  me  with  strong 
expressions  of  gratitude. 

"  About  eight  o'clock  the  physicians  came  again  into  the  room  and 
applied  blisters  and  cataplasms  of  wheat  bran  to  his  legs  and  feet,  after 
which  they  went  out,  except  Dr.  Craik,  without  a  ray  of  hope.  I  went 
out  about  this  time  and  wrote  a  line  to  Mr.  Law  and  Mr.  Peter,  requesting 
them  to  come  with  their  wives  (Mrs.  Washington's  granddaughters)  as 
soon  as  possible  to  Mount  Vernon. 

"  About  ten  o'clock  he  made  several  attempts  to  speak  to  me  before 
he  could  effect  it.  At  length  he  said,  '  I  am  just  going.  Have  me 
decently  buried,  and  do  not  let  my  body  be  put  into  the  vault  in  less  than 
three  days  after  I  am  dead.'  I  bowed  assent,  for  I  could  not  speak.  He 
then  looked  at  me  again  and  said,  '  Do  you  understand  me  ?'  I  replied, 
'  Yes.'     '  'Tis  well,'  said  he. 

"About  ten  minutes  before  he  expired  (which  was  between  ten  and 
elevfen  o'clock)  his  breathing  became  easier.  He  lay  quietly ;  he  with- 
drew his  hand  from  mine  and  felt  his  own  pulse.  I  saw  his  countenance 
change.  I  spoke  to  Dr.  Craik,  who  sat  by  the  fire.  He  came  to  the  bed- 
side. The  General's  hand  fell  from  his  wrist.  I  took  it  in  mine  and 
pressed  it  to  my  bosom.  Dr.  Craik  put  his  hands  over  his  eyes,  and  he 
expired  without  a  struggle  or  a  sigh. 

"  While  we  were  fixed  in  silent  grief,  Mrs.  Washington,  who  was 
sitting  at  the  foot  of  the  bed,  asked  with  a  firm  and  collected  voice, '  Is  he 
gone?'  I  could  not  speak,  but  held  up  my  hand  as  a  signal  that  he  was 
no  more.  ''Tis  well,'  said  she  in  the  same  voice;  'all  is  now  over;  I 
s^hall  soon  follow  him  ;   I  have  no  more  trials  to  pass  through.' 

"  At  the  time  of  his  decease  Dr.  Craik  and  myself  were  in  the  situa- 
tion above  mentioned.  Mrs.  Washington  was  sitting  near  the  foot  of  the 
bed.  Christopher  was  standing  near  the  bedside.  Caroline,  Molly,  and 
Charlotte  were  in  the  room,  standing  near  the  door. 

"  As  soon  as  Dr.  Craik  could  speak  after  the  distressing  scene  was 
closed,  he  desired  one  of  the  servants  to  ask  the  gentlemen  below  to  come 
up-stairs.  When  they  came  to  the  bedside  I  kissed  the  cold  hand  which 
I  had  held  to  my  bosom,  laid  it  down,  and  went  to  the  other  end  of  the 
room,  where  I  was  for  some  time  lost  in  profound  grief,  until  aroused  by 
Christopher  desiring  me  to  take  care  of  the  General's  keys,  and  other 
things,  which  were  taken  out  of  his  pockets,  and  which  Mrs.  Washington 
directed  him  to  give  to  me.     I  wrapped  them  in  the  General's  handker- 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


253 


CAPT.  L.  L.  BLAKE,  OK  STEAMBOAT  W.  W.  CORCORAN. 


chief,  and  took  them  to  my  room.  About  twelve-o'clock  the  corpse  was 
brought  down-stairs  and  laid  out  in  the  large  room, 

"  During  his  whole  illness  he  spoke  but  seldom,  and  with  great  diffi- 
culty and  distress,  and  in  so  low  and  broken  a  voice  as  at  times  hardly 
to  be  understood.  His  patience,  fortitude,  and  resignation  never  forsook 
him  for  a  moment.  In  all  his  distress  he  uttered  not  a  sigh  nor  a  com- 
plaint, always  endeavoring,  from  a  sense  of  duty  as  it  appeared,  to  take 
what  was  offered  him,  and  to  do  as  he  was  desired  by  the  physicians." 

On  Sunday,  December  15th,  Mr.  Lear,  by  request  of  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton, sent  to  Alexandria  to  have  a  mahogany  coffin  made.  On  the  follow- 
ing day  he  had  the  old  family  vault  opened,  the  "  rubbish  about  it"  cleared 
away,  and  a  new  door  to  it  made.  Mourning  was  ordered  for  the  family, 
domestics,  and  overseers.  On  Tuesday  he  says,  "  The  coffin  was  brought 
from  Alexandria.  Mr.  Grater  accompanied  it  with  a  shroud.  The  body 
was  laid  in  the  coffin.  The  mahogany  coffin  was  lined  with  lead,  soldered 
at  the  joints,  with  a  cover  of  lead  to  be  soldered  on  after  the  body  should 
be  in  the  vault.  The  coffin  was  put  in  a  case,  lined  and  covered  with 
black  cloth." 

Mr.  Lear  gives  the  following  account  of  the  funeral  ceremony,  which 
took  place  at  Mount  Vernon  on  Wednesday,  December  i8th  : 

"  About  eleven  o'clock  numbers  of  people  began  to  assemble  to  attend 
the  funeral,  which  was  intended  to  have  been  at  twelve  o'clock;  but  as  a 
great  part  of  the  troops  expected  could  not  get  down  in  time,  it  did  not 
take  place  till  three.  Eleven  pieces  of  artillery  were  brought  from  Alex- 
andria, and  a  schooner,  belonging  to  Mr.  Robert  Hamilton,  came  down 


254  '^^^   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

and  lay  off  Mount  Vernon  to  fire  minute-guns  while  the  body  was  being 
carried  to  the  grave.  About  three  o'clock  the  procession  began  to  move. 
The  pall-bearers  were  Colonels  Little,  Simms,  Payne,  Gilpin,  Ramsey,  and 
Marsteler.  Colonel  Blackburn  preceded  the  corpse.  The  procession 
moved  out  through  the  gate  at  the  left  wing  of  the  house,. and  proceeded 
round  in  front  of  the  lawn  and  down  to  the  vault  on  the  right  wing  of 
the  house.  The  procession  was  as  follows : 
"  The  Troops,  horse  and  foot. 

"The  Clergy,  namely, — The  Reverend  Messrs.  Davis,  Muir,  Moffatt, 
and  Addison. 

"  The  General's  horse,  with  his  saddle,  holsters,  and  pistols,  led  by  two 
grooms,  Cyrus  and  Wilson,  in  black. 

"  The  Body,  borne  by  the  Freemasons  and  Officers. 
"  Principal  Mourners,  namely, — 
"  Mrs.  Stuart  and  Mrs.  Law. 
"  Misses  Nancy  and  Sally  Stuart. 
"  Miss  Fairfax  and  Miss  Dennison. 
"  Mr.  Law  and  Mr.  Peter. 
"  Mr.  Lear  and  Dr.  Craik. 
"  Lord  Fairfax  and  Fernando  Fairfax. 
"  Lodge  No.  22. 
"  Corporation  of  Alexandria. 
"  All  other  persons,  preceded  by  Mr.  Anderson  and  the  Overseers. 
"  When  the  body  arrived  at  the  vault  the  Rev.  Mr.  Davis  read  the 
service,  and  pronounced  a  short  address.     The  Masons  performed  their 
ceremonies,  and  the  body  was  deposited  in  the  vault." 

The  Alexandria  Times  and  Advertiser  oi  Friday,  December  20,  1799, 
thus  announced  Washington's  death  and  funeral: 

"  The  effect  of  the  sudden  news  of  his  death  upon  the  inhabitants  of 
Alexandria  can  better  be  conceived  than  expressed.  At  first  a  general 
disorder,  wildness,  and  consternation  pervaded  the  town.  The  tale  ap- 
peared as  an  illusory  dream,  as  the  raving  of  a  sickly  imagination.  But 
these  impressions  soon  gave  place  to  sensations  of  the  most  poignant 
sorrow  and  extreme  regret.  On  Monday  and  Wednesday  the  stores 
were  all  closed  and  all  business  suspended,  as  if  each  family  had  lost  its 
father.  From  the  time  of  his  death  to  the  time  of  his  interment  the  bells 
continued  to  toll,  the  shipping  in  the  harbor  wore  their  colors  half-mast 
high,  and  every  public  expression  of  grief  was  observed.  On  Wednesday 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  of  the  county,  and  the  adjacent  parts  of 
Maryland  proceeded  to  Mount  Vernon  to  perform  the  last  offices  to  the 
body  of  their  illustrious  neighbor.     All  the  military  within  a  considerable 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


255 


distance  and  three  Masonic  lodges  were  present.  The  concourse  of 
people  was  immense.  Till  the  time  of  interment  the  corpse  was  placed 
on  the  portico  fronting  the  river,  that  every  citizen  might  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  taking  a  lasting  farewell  of  the  departed  benefactor." 

At  the  time  of  Washington's  death  Congress  was  in  session  at  Phila- 
delphia. When  the  news  was  received  both  houses  immediately  ad- 
journed It  is  stated  that  "  the  next  morning,  as  soon  as  the  House  of 
Representatives  had  convened,  Mr.  Marshall,  afterwards  Chief  Justice, 
rose  in  his  place  and  addressed  the  Speaker  in  an  eloquent  and  pathetic 
speech  briefly  recounting  the  public  acts  of  Washington.  He  then  of- 
fered three  resolutions,  previously  prepared  by  General  Henry  Lee,  which 
were  accepted.  By  these  it  was  proposed  that  the  House  should  in  a 
body  wait  on  the  President  to  express  their  condolence;  that  the 
Speaker's  chair  should  be  shrouded  in  black,  and  the  members  and  of- 
ficers of  the  House  be  dressed  in  black  during  the  session ;  and  that  a 
committee  in  conjunction  with  a  committee  from  the  Senate  should  be 


HON.    ROBERT   C.   WINTHROP,   ORATOR    OF    THE 
WASHINGTON    MONUMENT. 


256  ^^^   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

appointed  to  consider  the  most  suitable  manner  of  paying  honor  to  the 
memory  of  Washington.  The  Senate  had  similar  proceedings.  A  joint 
committee  of  the  two  houses  was  appointed,  who  reported  resolutions 
recommending  that  a  marble  monument  should  be  erected  to  commemo- 
rate the  great  events  in  the  military  and  political  life  of  Washington; 
that  an  oration  suited  to  the  occasion  should  be  pronounced  in  the 
presence  of  both  houses  of  Congress ;  that  the  people  of  the  United 
States  should  wear  crape  on  the  left  arm  thirty  days  as  a  badge  of  mourn- 
ing; and  that  the  President,  in  the  name  of  Congress,  should  be  requested 
to  write  a  letter  of  condolence  to  Mrs.  Washington.  These  resolutions 
were  unanimously  adopted.  The  funeral  ceremonies  were  appropriate 
and  solemn.  A  procession  consisting  of  the  members  of  the  two  houses, 
public  officers,  and  a  large  assemblage  of  citizens  moved  from  the  hall  of 
Congress  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  where  a  discourse  was  de- 
livered by  General  Henry  Lee,  then  a  Representative  in  Congress."  The 
funeral  ceremonies  took  place  December  26,  1799. 

In  General  Lee's  oration  were  these  words :  "  First  in  war,  first  in 
peace,  and  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen,  he  was  second  to  none 
in  the  humble  and  endearing  scenes  of  private  life  ;  uniform,  dignified,  and 
commanding,  his  example  was  as  edifying  to  all  around  him  as  were  the 
effects  of  that  example  lasting.  To  his  equals  he  was  condescending ; 
to  his  inferiors,  kind ;  and  to  the  dear  object  of  his  affections,  exemplarily 
tender;  correct  throughout,  vice  shuddered  in  his  presence,  and  virtue 
always  felt  his  fostering  hand ;  the  purity  of  his  private  character  gave 
effulgence  to  his  public  virtues.  His  last  scene  comported  with  the  whole 
tenor  of  his  life.  Although  in  extreme  pain,  not  a  sigh,  not  a  groan 
escaped  him;  and  with  undisturbed  serenity  he  closed  his  well-spent  life. 
Such  was  the  man  America  has  lost;  such  was  the  man  for  whom  our 
nation  mourns." 

Washington  left  property  valued,  according  to  his  own  estimate,  at 
;^5 30,000.  Besides  his  Mount  Vernon  estate,  he  had  13,030  acres  of  land 
in  other  parts  of  Virginia,  over  looo  acres  in  Maryland,  about  1200  in 
New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  and  great  tracts,  amounting  to  over  8000 
acres,  in  Kentucky  and  what  was  then  called  the  "  northwest  territory" 
on  the  Little  Miami  river.  He  had  lots  in  the  cities  of  Washineton. 
Alexandria,  and  Winchester.  He  possessed  ^25,000  worth  of  shares  in 
the  Bank  of  Columbia  and  Bank  of  Alexandria  in  Alexandria,  and  the 
Potomac  Company  and  James  River  Company.  His  live  stock  at  Mount 
Vernon  was  valued  at  ^35,000.  No  estimate  was  made  of  his  slaves,  as 
he  proposed  to  free  them.  His  will  is  herewith  given.  It  begins  as 
follows : 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  257 

"  In  the  name  of  God,  Amen.  I,  George  Washington,  of  Mount 
Vernon,  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  lately  President  of  the  same, 
do  make,  ordain,  and  declare  this  instrument,  which  is  written  with  my 
own  hand,  and  every  page  subscribed  with  my  name,  to  be  my  last  Will 
and  Testament,  revoking  all  others. 

"  Iinprimis. — All  my  debts,  of  which  there  are  but  few,  and  none  of 
magnitude,  are  to  be  punctually  and  speedily  paid,  and  the  legacies,  here- 
inafter bequeathed,  are  to  be  discharged  as  soon  as  circumstances  will 
permit,  and  in  the  manner  directed. 

"  Item. — To  my  dearly  beloved  wife,  Martha  Washington,  I  give  and 
bequeath  the  use,  profit,  and  benefit  of  my  whole  estate,  real  and  personal, 
for  the  term  of  her  natural  life,  except  such  parts  thereof  as  are  specially 
disposed  of  hereafter.  My  improved  lot  in  the  town  of  Alexandria, 
situated  on  P  and  Cameron  streets,  I  give  to  her  and  her  heirs  forever ; 
as  I  also  do  my  household  and  kitchen  furniture  of  every  sort  and  kind, 
with  the  liquors  and  groceries  which  may  be  on  hand  at  the  time  of  my 
decease,  to  be  used  and  disposed  of  as  she  may  think  proper. 

"  Iton. — Upon  the  decease  of  my  wife,  it  is  my  will  and  desire  that  all 
the  slaves  whom  I  hold  in  my  ozvii  right  shall  receive  their  freedom.  To 
emancipate  them  during  her  life  would,  though  earnestly  wished  by  me, 
be  attended  with  such  insuperable  difficulties,  on  account  of  their  inter- 
mixture by  marriage  with  the  dower  negroes,  as  to  excite  the  most  painful 
sensations,  if  not  disagreeable  consequences  to  the  latter,  while  both  de- 
scriptions are  in  the  occupancy  of  the  same  proprietor;  it  not  being  in 
my  power,  under  the  tenure  by  which  the  dower  negroes  are  held,  to 
manumit  them.  And  whereas,  among  those  who  will  receive  freedom 
according  to  this  devise,  there  may  be  some  who,  from  old  age  or  bodily 
infirmities,  and  others  who,  on  account  of  their  infancy,  will  be  unable  to 
support  themselves,  it  is  my  will  and  desire  that  all  who  come  under  the 
first  and  second  description  shall  be  comfortably  clothed  and  fed  by  my 
heirs  while  they  live ;  and  that  such  of  the  latter  description  as  have  no 
parents  living,  or,  if  living,  are  unable  or  unwilling  to  provide  for  them, 
shall  be  bound  by  the  court  until  they  shall  arrive  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
five  years ;  and,  in  cases  where  no  record  can  be  produced  whereby  their 
ages  can  be  ascertained,  the  judgment  of  the  court,  upon  its  own  views 
of  the  subject,  shall  be  adequate  and  final.  The  negroes  thus  bound  are 
(by  their  masters  or  mistresses)  to  be  taught  to  read  and  write,  and  to  be 
brought  up  to  some  useful  occupation,  agreeably  to  the  laws  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Virginia,  providing  for  the  support  of  orphan  or  other  poor 
children.  And  I  do  hereby  expressly  forbid  the  sale  or  transportation, 
out  of  the  said   Commonwealth,  of  any  slave  I   may  die   possessed  of, 

17 


258 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


DEPARTMENT   OF  JUSTICE. 


under  any  pretence  whatsoever.  And  I  do,  moreover,  most  pointedly  and 
most  solemnly  enjoin  it  upon  my  executors  hereafter  named,  or  the  sur- 
vivors of  them,  to  see  that  this  clause  respecting  slaves,  and  every  part 
thereof,  be  religiously  fulfilled  at  the  epoch  at  which  it  is  directed  to  take 
place,  without  evasion,  neglect,  or  delay,  after  the  crops  which  may  then 
be  in  the  ground  are  harvested,  particularly  as  it  respects  the  aged  and 
infirm  ;  seeing  that  a  regular  and  permanent  fund  be  established  for  their 
support,  as  long  as  there  are  subjects  requiring  it,  not  trusting  to  the 
uncertain  provision  to  be  made  by  individuals.  And  to  my  mulatto  man, 
William,  calling  himself  William  Lee,  I  give  immediate  freedom,  or,  if  he 
should  prefer  it  (on  account  of  the  accidents  which  have  befallen  him,  and 
which  have  rendered  him  incapable  of  walking,  or  of  any  active  employ- 
ment), to  remain  in  the  situation  he  now  is,  it  shall  be  optional  in  him  to 
do  so ;  in  either  case,  however,  I  allow  him  an  annuity  of  thirty  dollars 
during  his  natural  life,  which  shall  be  independent  of  the  victuals  and 
clothes  he  has  been  accustomed  to  receive,  if  he  chooses  the  last  alter-1 
native;  but  in  full  with  his  freedom,  if  he  prefers  the  first;  and  this  I  give 
him,  as  a  testimony  of  my  sense  of  his  attachment  to  me,  and  for  his 
faithful  services  during  the  Revolutionary  war. 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  250 

"  Item. — To  the  trustees  (governors,  or  by  whatsoever  other  name  they 
may  be  designated)  of  the  Academy  in  the  town  of  Alexandria,  I  give 
and  bequeath,  in  trust,  four  thousand  dollars,  or  in  other  words,  twenty  of 
the  shares  which  I  hold  in  the  Bank  of  Alexandria,  towards  the  support 
of  a  free  school,  established  at  and  annexed  to  the  said  Academy,  for  the 
purpose  of  educating  such  orphan  children,  or  the  children  of  such  other 
poor  and  indigent  persons  as  are  unable  to  accomplish  it  with  their  own 
means,  and  who,  in  the  judgment  of  the  trustees  of  said  seminary,  are 
best  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  this  donation.  The  aforesaid  twenty  shares 
I  give  and  bequeath  in  perpetuity;  the  dividends  only  of  which  are  to  be 
drawn  for  and  applied,  by  the  said  trustees  for  the  time  being,  for  the  uses 
above  mentioned  ;  the  stock  to  remain  entire  and  untouched,  unless  indi- 
cations of  failure  of  the  said  bank  should  be  so  apparent,  or  a  discontin- 
uance thereof  should  render  a  removal  of  the  fund  necessary.  In  either 
of  these  cases,  the  amount  of  stock  here  devised  is  to  be  vested  in  some 
other  bank  or  public  institution,  whereby  the  interest  may  with  regularity 
and  certainty  be  drawn  and  applied  as  above.  And  to  prevent  miscon- 
ception, my  meaning  is,  and  is  hereby  declared  to  be,  that  these  twenty 
shares  are  in  lieu  of,  and  not  in  addition  to,  the  thousand  pounds  given 
by  a  missive  letter  some  years  ago,  in  consequence  whereof  an  annuity 
of  fifty  pounds  has  since  been  paid  towards  the  support  of  this  institution. 

"  Item. — Whereas  by  a  law  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  enacted 
in  1785,  the  Legislature  thereof  was  pleased,  as  an  evidence  of  its  appro- 
bation of  the  services  I  had  rendered  the  public  during  the  Revolution, 
and  partly,  I  believe,  in  consideration  of  my  having  suggested  the  vast 
advantages  which  the  community  would  derive  from  the  extension  of  its 
inland  navigation  under  legislative  patronage,  to  present  me  with  one 
hundred  shares,  of  one  hundred  dollars  each,  in  the  incorporated  Com- 
pany established  for  the  purpose  of  extending  the  navigation  of  James 
River  from  the  tide  water  to  the  mountains;  and  also  with  fifty  shares,  of 
^100  sterling  each,  in  the  corporation  of  another  Company,  likewise 
established  for  the  similar  purpose  of  opening  the  navigation  of  the 
River  Potomac  from  tide  water  to  Fort  Cumberland ;  the  acceptance  of 
which,  although  the  offer  was  highly  honorable  and  grateful  to  my  feel- 
ings, was  refused,  as  inconsistent  with  the  principle  which  I  had  adopted, 
and  had  never  departed  from,  viz.,  not  to  receive  pecuniary  compensation 
for  any  services  I  could  render  my  country  in  its  arduous  struggle  with 
Great  Britain  for  its  rights,  and  because  I  had  evaded  similar  presents 
from  other  States  in  the  Union ;  adding  to  this  refusal,  however,  an  inti- 
mation that,  if  it  should  be  the  pleasure  of  the  legislature  to  permit  me 
to  appropriate  the  said  shares  to  public  uses,  I  would  receive  them  on 


26o 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


those  terms  with  due  sensibility;  and  this  it  having  consented  to,  in 
flattering  terms,  as  will  appear  by  a  subsequent  law,  and  sundry  resolu- 
tions, in  the  most  ample  and  honorable  manner: — I  proceed  after  this 
recital,  for  the  more  correct  understanding  of  the  case,  to  declare  that,  as 
it  has  always  been  a  source  of  serious  regret  with  me  to  see  the  youth 
of  these  United  States  sent  to  foreign  countries  for  the  purpose  of  educa- 
tion, often  before  their  minds  were  formed,  or  they  had  imbibed  any 
adequate  ideas  of  the  happiness  of  their  own  ;  contracting  too  frequently 
not  only  habits  of  dissipation  and  extravagance,  but  principles  unfriendly 
to  republican  government,  and  to  the  true  and  genuine  liberties  of  man- 
kind, which  thereafter  are  rarely  overcome ;  for  these  reasons  it  has  been 
my  ardent  wish  to  see  a  plan  devised,  on  a  liberal  scale,  which  would 
have  a  tendency  to  spread  systematic  ideas  through  all  parts  of  this  rising 
empire,  thereby  to  do  away  with  local  attachments  and  State  prejudices, 
as  far  as  the  nature  of  things  would,  or  indeed  ought  to  admit,  from  our 
national  councils.  Looking  anxiously  forward  to  the  accomplishment  of 
so  desirable  an  object  as  this  is  (in  my  estimation),  my  mind  has  not 
been  able  to  contemplate  any  plan  more  likely  to  effect  the  measure  than 
the  establishment  of  a  University  in  a  central  part  of  the- United  States, 
to  which  the  youths  of  fortune  and  talents  from  all  parts  thereof  may  be 


FRANKLIN    SCHOOL. 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  261 

sent  for  the  completion  of  their  education  in  all  the  branches  of  polite 
literature,  in  arts  and  sciences,  in  acquiring  knowledge  in  the  principles 
of  politics  and  good  government,  and,  as  a  matter  of  infinite  importance 
in  my  judgment,  by  associating  with  each  other,  and  forming  friendships 
in  juvenile  years,  be  enabled  to  free  themselves  in  a  proper  degree  from 
those  local  prejudices  and  habitual  jealousies  which  have  just  been  men- 
tioned, and  which,  when  carried  to  excess,  are  never-failing  sources  of 
disquietude  to  the  public  mind,  and  pregnant  of  mischievous  consequences 
to  this  country.  Under  these  impressions,  so  fully  dilated,  I  give  and 
bequeath,  in  perpetuity,  the  fifty  shares  which  I  hold  in  the  Potomac 
Company  (under  the  aforesaid  acts  of  the  Legislature  of  Virginia)  towards 
the  endowment  of  a  University,  to  be  established  within  the  limits  of  the 
District  of  Columbia,  under  the  auspices  of  the  general  government,  if 
that  government  should  incline  to  extend  a  fostering  hand  towards  it; 
and  until  such  seminary  is  established,  and  the  funds  arising  on  these 
shares  shall  be  required  for  its  support,  my  further  will  and  desire  is,  that 
the  profit  accruing  therefrom  shall,  whenever  the  dividends  are  made,  be 
laid  out  in  purchasing  stock  in  the  Bank  of  Columbia,  or  some  other 
bank,  at  the  discretion  of  my  executors,  or  by  the  Treasurer  of  the  United 
States  for  the  time  being,  under  the  direction  of  Congress,  provided  that 
honorable  body  should  patronize  the  measure;  and  the  dividends  pro- 
ceeding from  the  purchase  of  such  stock  are  to  be  vested  in  more  stock, 
and  so  on  until  a  sum  adequate  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  object  is 
obtained;  of  which  I  have  not  the  smallest  doubt  before  many  years  pass 
away,  even  if  no  aid  or  encouragement  is  given  by  the  legislative  authority, 
or  from  any  other  source. 

"  //^;/^, — The  hundred  shares  which  I  hold  in  the  James  River  Company 
I  have  given,  and  now  confirm  in  perpetuity,  to  and  for  the  use  and  benefit 
of  Liberty  Hall  Academy,  in  the  County  of  Rockbridge,  in  the  Common- 
wealth of  Virginia." 

Jared  Sparks  says  in  his  life  of  Washington  :  "  The  donation  to  Wash- 
ington College  (formerly  known  as  Liberty  Hall  Academy)  has  been  pro- 
ductive, and  the  proceeds  arising  from  it  have  contributed  essential  aid  to 
that  institution.  No  part  of  the  other  fund  has  been  employed  for  literary 
purposes.  The  Potomac  Company  seems  to  have  been  merged  in  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal  Company.  The  shares  appropriated  by 
Washington's  will  are  doubtless  held  in  trust  by  the  latter  company  for 
their  destined  object." 

The  will  directs  that  the  estate  of  his  deceased  brother,  Samuel 
Washington,  shall  be  released  from  the  payment  of  money  due  for  land, 
and  also  that  the  balance  due  from  the  estate  of  Bartholomew  Dandridge 


262  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

shall  be  released.  Sundry  legacies  were  given  to  the  nieces  and  nephews 
of  Washington.  His  papers  and  library  were  given  to  his  nephew,  Judge 
Bushrod  Washington,  the  son  of  his  brother,  John  Augustine  Washington. 
Legacies  were  given  to  friends,  such  as  "  To  my  companion  in  arms  and 
old  and  intimate  friend,  Dr.  Craik,  I  give  my  bureau  (or  as  the  cabinet- 
makers call  it,  my  tambour  secretary)  and  the  circular  chair,  an  appendage 
of  my  study."  "  To  General  de  Lafayette,  I  give  a  pair  of  finely-wrought 
steel  pistols,  taken  from  the  enemy  in  the  Revolutionary  war."  "  To 
Tobias  Lear,  I  eive  the  use  of  the  farm  which  he  now  holds  in  virtue  of  a 
lease  from  me,  free  of  rent  during  his  life."  He  gave  each  of  his  five 
nephews  a  sword,  with  the  injunction  "not  to  unsheath  them  for  the  pur- 
pose of  shedding  blood,  except  it  be  in  self-defence,  or  in  defence  of  their 
country  and  its  rights ;  and  in  the  latter  case  to  keep  them  unsheathed, 
and  prefer  falling  with  them  in  their  hands  to  the  relinquishment  thereof." 

To  his  nephew,  Bushrod  Washington,  and  his  heirs,  he  gave  a  certain 
part  of  the  Mount  Vernon  estate,  with  the  mansion  and  other  buildings,  as, 
he  says,  "  partly  in  consideration  of  an  intimation  to  his  deceased  father 
while  we  were  bachelors,  and  he  had  kindly  undertaken  to  superintend  my 
estate  during  my  military  services  in  the  former  war  between  Great  Britain 
and  France,  that,  if  I  should  fall  therein.  Mount  Vernon,  then  less  exten- 
sive in  domain  than  at  present,  should  become  his  property."  His  estate 
of  2027  acres  east  of  Little  Hunting  creek  he  gave  to  his  nephews,  George 
Fayette  Washington  and  Lawrence  Augustine  Washington. 

The  will  continues :  "  And  whereas  it  has  always  been  my  intention, 
since  my  expectation  of  having  issue  has  ceased,  to  consider  the  grand- 
children of  my  wife  in  the  same  light  as  I  do  my  own  relation,  and  to  act 
a  friendly  part  by  them  ;  more  especially  by  the  two  whom  we  have  raised 
from  their  earliest  infancy,  namely,  Eleanor  Parke  Custis  and  George  Wash- 
ington Parke  Ctfstis ;  and  whereas  the  former  of  these  hath  lately  inter- 
married with  Laivrence  Letvis,  a  son  of  my  deceased  sister,  Betty  Lewis,  by 
which  union  the  inducement  to  provide  for  them  both  has  been  increased ; 
wherefore  I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  said  Lawrence  Lewis  and  Eleanor 
Parke  Lewis,  his  wife,  and  their  heirs,  the  residue  of  my  Mount  Vernon 
estate  not  already  devised  to  my  nephew,  Bushrod  Washington."  This 
portion  consisted  of  about  two  thousand  acres,  and  embraced  his  flour- 
mill,  distillery,  and  other  buildings. 

The  will  continues  :  "  Actuated  by  the  principle  already  mentioned,  I 
give  and  bequeath  to  George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  the  grandson  of  my 
wife,  and  my  ward,  and  to  his  heirs,  the  tract  I  hold  on  Four  Mile  Run, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Alexandria,  containing  one  thousand  two  hundred  acres, 
more  or  less,  and  my  entire  square.  No.  21,  in  the  city  of  Washington." 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


>63 


WASHINGTON  NAVY  YARD. 


The  remainder  of  his  estate,  real  and 
personal,  waS  to  be  divided  into  twenty- 
three  equal  parts,  and  disposed  of  to  his 
nephews  and  nieces  according  to  a  division 
he  describes  in  detail,— that  is,  so  many 
parts  to  each. 

The  will  concludes  as  follows :  "  The  family  vault  at  Mount  Vernon 
requiring  repairs,  and  being  improperly  situated  besides,  I  desire  that  a 
new  one  of  brick,  and  upon  a  larger  scale,  may  be  built  at  the  foot  of  what 
is  commonly  called  the  Vineyard  Enclosure,  on  the  ground  which  is 
marked  out ;  in  which  my  remains,  with  those  of  my  deceased  relations 
(now  in  the  old  vault),  and  such  others  of  my  family  as  may  choose  to  be 
entombed  there,  may  be  deposited.  And  it  is  my  express  desire  that  my 
corpse  may  be  interred  in  a  private  manner,  without  parade  or  funeral 

oration. 

"  Lastly,  I  constitute  and  appoint  my  dearly-beloved  wife,  Martha 
Washington,  my  nephews,  William  Augustine  Washington,  Bushrod  Wash- 
ington, George  Steptoe  Washington,  Samuel  Washington,  and  Lawrence 
Lewis,  and  my  ward,  George  Washington  Parke  Ciistis  (when  he  shall  have 
arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years),  executrix  and  executors  of  this 
my  will  and  testament,  in  the  construction  of  which  it  will  be  readily  per- 
ceived that  no  professional  character  has  been  consulted  or  has  had  any 
agency  in  the  draft ;  and  that  although  it  has  occupied  many  of  my  leisure 
hours  to  digest  and  to  throw  into  its  present  form,  it  may,  notwithstanding, 
appear  crude  and  incorrect ;  but  having  endeavored  to  be  plain  and  ex- 
plicit in  all  the  devises,  even  at  the  expense  of  prolixity,  perhaps  of  tau- 
tology, I  hope  and  trust  that  no  disputes  will  arise  concerning  them.  But 
if,  contrary  to  expectation,  the  case  should  be  otherwise  from  the  want  of 


264 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


legal  expressions  or  the  usual  technical  terms,  or  because  too  much  or 
too  little  has  been  said  on  any  of  the  devises  to  be  consonant  with  law, 
my  will  and  direction  expressly  is  that  all  disputes  (if,  unhappily,  any 
should  arise)  shall  be  decided  by  three  impartial  and  intelligent  men, 
known  for  their  probity  and  good  understanding ;  two  to  be  chosen  by 
the  disputants,  each  having  the  choice  of  one,  and  the  third  by  those  two ; 
which  three  men,  thus  chosen,  shall,  unfettered  by  law  or  legal  construc- 
tions, declare  their  sense  of  the  testator's  intention  ;  and  such  decision  is, 
to  all  intents  and  purposes,  to  be  as  binding  on  the  parties  as  if  it  had 
been  given  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States." 

The  will  is  dated  July  9,  1799,  and  is  signed  in  a  bold,  clear  hand, 
every  page  having  Washington's  name.  The  original  manuscript  is  pre- 
served in  the  record  office  of  the  Fairfax  county  court-house,  in  Virginia. 

After  Mrs.  Washington's  death,  Bushrod  Washington  resided  for  some 
years  at  Mount  Vernon.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  United  States,  and  a  jurist  of  profound  learning  and  inflexible  hon- 
esty. He  died  in  1826,  and  the  Mount  Vernon  estate  became  the  property 
of  his  nephew,  John  Augustine  Washington.  At  his  death,  in  1832,  his 
son,  John  Augustine  Washington,  was  the  heir.  He  held  the  estate  until 
i860,  when  he  disposed  of  it  to  the  Mount  Vernon  Association. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

THE  INAUGURATION  CEREMONIES  OF  PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES— THE 
FIRST  INAUGURATION  IN  WASHINGTON— ANCIENT  AND  MODERN  CUSTOMS— THE 
INAUGURATION  OF  PRESIDENT  CLEVELAND— CEREMONY  AT  THE  CAPITOL— TAKING 
THE  OATH  OF  OFFICE— THE  GRAND  PROCESSION— THE  INAUGURATION  BALL  IN 
THE  NEW  PENSION  BUILDING. 

HE  first  President  of  the  United  States  inaugurated  in  the  city 
of  Washington  was  Thomas  Jefferson,  who  took  the  oath  of 
office  on  the  4th  of  March,  1801.  He  was  the  third  President, 
the  others  having  been  George  Washington,  who  served  two 
terms,  and  John  Adams,  who  served  one  term.  Washington  was  inaugu- 
rated for  his  first  term  in  the  city  of  New  York  on  April  30,  1789.  The 
First  Congress  of  the  United  States  met  in  New  York  on  March  4,  1789, 
but  had  no  quorum  until  April  6.  On  that  day  the  electoral  votes  for 
President  were  counted  by  the  Senate  and  House  in  joint  session,  and 
immediately  afterwards  a  messenger  was  despatched  to  Mount  Vernon  to 
notify  Washington  of  his  election.  Washington  left  home  on  April  16 
for  New  York,  and  during  his  journey  thither  was  the  recipient  of  grand 
popular  demonstrations  in  the  cities  and  towns  along  the  route.  Shortly 
after  twelve  o'clock  on  April  30  a  troop  of  light  dragoons  and  a  legion 
of  infantry,  together  with  the  inauguration  committees  of  Congress  and 
various  officials,  escorted  Washington  from  his  residence  in  New  York 
to  the  Federal  Hall,  on  Wall  street,  where  Congress  was  sitting.  On  the 
site  of  this  building  the  sub-treasury  of  the  United  States  now  stands. 
When  Washington  entered  the  Senate  chamber,  where  both  houses  of 
Congress  were  in  joint  session,  all  present  rose  and  remained  standing 
until  he  had  taken  the  seat  assigned  to  him.  In  a  few  minutes  he  pro- 
ceeded to  the  balcony  of  the  building,  to  take  the  oath  of  office  within 
sight  of  the  multitude  assembled,  who  could  not  gain  admission  to  the 
Senate  chamber.  The  oath  was  administered  by  Robert  R.  Livingston, 
Chancellor  of  the  State  of  New  York.  After  the  reading  of  the  oath, 
Washington  inclined  his  head  and  reverently  kissed  the  Bible,  which  was 
held  by  the  secretary  of  the  Senate.  Chancellor  Livingston  then  waved 
266 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


267 


his  hand  to  the  throng  in  front  of  the  balcony  and  shouted  in  a  clear, 
ringing  voice,  "  Long  Hve  George  Washington,  President  of  the  United 
States !"  Tumultuous  cheers  were  given,  cannon  were  fired,  and  the 
church  bells  were  rung.  Washington  returned  to  the  Senate  chamber 
and  delivered  his  inaugural  address,  after  which  he  attended  a  special 
service  at  St.  Paul's  church.  He  wore  a  suit  of  dark  brown  cloth  which 
had  been  woven  at  Mount  Vernon.  His  lower  limbs  were  clad  in  small 
clothes  and  white  silk  stockings,  and  on  his  feet  were  large,  square  shoes 
with  silver  buckles  set  with  diamonds.  His  hair  was  powdered,  brushed 
back,  and  tied  in  a  queue.  At  his  side  hung  a  long  sword  with  an  orna- 
mented hilt. 

At  the  time  of  Washington's  second  inauguration,  March  4,  1793, 
Congress  was  sitting  in  Philadelphia,  which  was  then  the  national  capital. 
The  "  Congress-Hall"  was  at  the  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Fifth  streets, 
and  here  the  inaugural  ceremony  was  performed.  Washington  rode  to 
the  building  in  a  magnificent  white  coach  drawn  by  six  white  horses, 
and  was  escorted  by  a  large  military  force.  The  oath  of  office  was  ad- 
ministered by  Justice  William  Cushing,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States.  Washington,  who  was  then  in  mourning  for  his  mother, 
was  attired  in  a  black  velvet  suit,  with  knee  breeches  and  black  silk 
stockings.  After  taking  the  oath  he  read  his  inaugural  address,  and  then 
withdrew  to  his  residence. 

John  Adams  was  also  inaugurated  in  Philadelphia,  on  March  4,  1797. 
The  ceremony  took  place  in  the  hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  the  oath  was  administered  by  Chief  Justice  Oliver  Ellsworth.  Many 
distinguished  persons  were  present. 

When  Thomas  Jefferson  was  inaugurated  the  precise  etiquette  observed 
at  the  previous  inaugurations  was  somewhat  dispensed  with.  No  military 
or  other  escort  was  tendered  to  him,  as  he  had  intimated  that  he  did  not 
wish  one.  President  Adams  left  the  city  of  Washington  early  on  the 
morning  of  inauguration  day,  not  caring  to  remain  to  see  his  successor 
inducted  into  office.  Just  before  noon  on  March  4,  1801,  Jefferson  slowly 
rode  down  the  muddy,  unpaved  Pennsylvania  avenue, — a  very  slough  of 
despond  at  that  time, — courteously  responding  to  the  salutations  of  those 
who  recognized  him.  He  was  unattended  and  rode  his  favorite  blooded 
horse,  "  Wildair."  When  he  arrived  at  the  Capitol  he  dismounted  and 
hitched  his  horse  to  the  fence  which  enclosed  a  part  of  the  western  grounds, 
and  then  unceremoniously  walked  up  the  bank  into  the  building.  Upon 
entering  the  crowded  Senate  chamber  he  was  escorted  to  the  chair  of  the 
Vice-President,  and  immediately  proceeded  to  deliver  his  inaugural 
address,  or  "  annual  speech,"  as  the  President's  remarks  were  then  called. 


258  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

When  he  had  finished,  Chief  Justice  John  Marshall  administered  the  oath 
to  him.  He  then  returned  without  ceremony  to  the  White  House  on 
"  Wildair,"  and  during  the  afternoon  and  evening  held  a  public  reception. 
He  wore  a  plain  blue  cloth  suit,  remarkable  only  for  its  extreme  simplicity. 

At  Jefferson's  second  inauguration,  March  4,  1805,  about  the  same 
ceremony  was  observed.  Chief  Justice  Marshall  again  administered  the 
oath,  and  Justices  William  Cushing,  William  Patterson,  and  Bushrod 
Washington  were  present.  On  this  occasion  Jefferson  was  attired  in  a 
blue  coat  with  brass  buttons,  a  scarlet  waistcoat,  blue  knee  breeches,  and 
white  silk  stockings.  ' 

Since  Jefferson's  time  there  have  been  many  inaugurations  at  the 
national  capital.  James  Madison  was  inaugurated  in  1809  and  18 13, 
James  Monroe  in  1817  and  i82i,John  Quincy  Adams  in  1825,  Andrew 
Jackson  in  1829  and  1833,  Martin  Van  Buren  in  1837,  William  Henry 
Harrison  in  1841,  John  Tyler  (after  the  death  of  Harrison)  in  1841,  James 
K.  Polk  in  1845,  Zachary  Taylor  in  1849,  Millard  Fillmore  (after  the  death 
of  Taylor)  in  1850,  Franklin  Pierce  in  1853,  James  Buchanan  in  1857, 
Abraham  Lincoln  in  1861  and  1865,  Andrew  Johnson  (after  the  death  of 
Lincoln)  in  1865,  Ulysses  S.  Grant  in  1869  and  1873,  Rutherford  B.  Hayes 
in  1877,  James  A.  Garfield  in  1881,  Chester  A.  Arthur  (after  the  death 
of  Garfield)  in  1 88 1,  and  Grover  Cleveland  in  1885.  These  inaugurations 
were  marked  by  special  demonstrations  varying  in  their  degree  of  en- 
thusiasm and  interest  according  to  the  state  of  popular  feeling  at  the  time. 

The  first  inauguration  of  Madison  was,  it  is  stated,  "  notable  for  demon- 
strations of  joy."  The  ceremony  took  place  in  the  hall  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  and  it  was  not  until  the  first  inauguration  of  Monroe  that 
the  custom  of  delivering  the  inaugural  address  and  taking  the  oath  on  the 
eastern  portico  of  the  Capitol  was  begun.  A  writer  in  1817  said,  "The 
difference  said  to  have  existed  between  the  two  houses  in  respect  to  the 
appropriation  of  the  Representative  chamber  was  rather  fortunate  than 
otherwise,  since  it  caused  the  ceremony  of  the  President  swearing  fealty 
to  the  Constitution  to  take  place  in  the  view,  if  not  in  the  hearing,  of  all 
the  people  of  the  United  States  who  chose  to  witness  it.  This,  it  appears 
to  us,  is  a  mode  far  preferable  to  that  of  being  cramped  up  in  a  hall,  into 
which,  however  extensive,  not  more  than  four  or  five  hundred  people  can 
possibly  have  admittance."  At  Monroe's  second  inauguration  the  weather 
was  too  cold  for  the  open-air  exercises,  and  they  were  consequently  held 
in  the  hall  of  the  House.  And  when  John  Quincy  Adams  was  inaugu- 
rated he  preferred  to  have  the  ceremony  in-doors.  But  from  the  inaugura- 
tion of  Jackson  to  the  present  time  the  Presidents  have  all  sworn  fealty  to 
the  Constitution  on  the  Capitol  portico. 


f,r 


i  ^f" — 


PRESIDENT    CLEVELAND    AT    HIS    DESK    IN    THE   WHITE   HOUSE. 


2-jQ  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

Jackson  declined  an  escort  to  the  Capitol  on  his  inauguration  day, 
and,  unattended,  rode  his  spirited  war  horse  down  Pennsylvania  avenue. 
At  every  step  of  the  way  he  was  lustily  cheered  by  the  great  throng  of 
people  who  had  gathered  from  different  sections  of  the  country  to  see  the 
gallant  soldier  inaugurated.  Daniel  Webster  afterwards  wrote,  "  I  never 
saw  such  a  crowd  here  before.  Persons  have  come  five  hundred  miles  to 
see  General  Jackson,  and  they  really  seem  to  think  that  the  country  is 
rescued  from  some  dreadful  danger."  After  Jackson  had  delivered  his 
inaugural  address,  and  taken  the  oath  administered  by  Chief  Justice 
Marshall,  salutes  were  fired,  and  a  procession  was  formed  to  escort  him  to 
the  White  House. 

Van  Buren's  inauguration  was  also  the  occasion  of  enthusiastic  dem- 
onstrations. He  had  a  fine  military  escort,  and  rode  to  the  Capitol  and 
back  to  the  White  House  in  a  handsome  phaeton  constructed  of  wood 
taken  from  the  old  frigate  Constitution.  Chief  Justice  Roger  B.  Taney 
administered  the  oath.  Harrison's  inauguration  called  out  a  great  crowd 
of  spectators.  The  "  hero  of  Tippecanoe"  rode  down  Pennsylvania 
avenue  on  a  white  horse,  accompanied  by  various  military  organizations, 
including  a  battalion  of  soldiers  who  had  served  under  him.  He  read  his 
address  nearly  through,  then  stopped,  and  was  sworn  into  office  by  Chief 
Justice  Taney,  and  then  finished  his  address.  In  the  evening  he  attended 
several  balls  given  in  his  honor.  At  the  inauguration  of  Polk  and  of 
Taylor  there  were  about  the  usual  exercises.  Pierce  and  Buchanan  were 
inaugurated  with  great  pomp  and  ceremony.  The  attendance  of  strangers 
on  both  occasions  was  large,  and  the  military  parades  were  exceedingly 
imposing.  Chief  Justice  Taney  administered  the  oath  to  both  these 
Presidents.     Grand  inauguration  balls  were  given. 

At  the  first  inauguration  of  Lincoln  there  were  apprehensions  that  an 
attempt  would  be  made  to  prevent  the  ceremony,  and  the  greatest  pre- 
cautions were  taken.  Lincoln  was  closely  guarded  by  trusty  men  during 
the  entire  ceremony.  There  was  a  long  procession  of  military  and  civic 
organizations.  After  the  inauguration  Lincoln  held  a  reception  at  the 
White  House,  which  was  attended  by  several  thousand  people.  His 
second  inauguration  was  marked  by  a  great  concourse  of  spectators  and 
an  extensive  military  parade.  The  city  was  handsomely  decorated  for 
the  occasion.  The  inaugurations  of  Grant  and  Garfield  were  splendid 
demonstrations  in  every  particular.  On  these  occasions  the  city  had 
thousands  of  visitors,  the  inaugural  processions  were  long  and  imposing, 
and  there  were  magnificent  fireworks  and  grand  balls.  Vice-Presidents 
Tyler,  Fillmore,  Johnson,  and  Arthur,  who  assumed  the  office  of  Presi- 
dent, simply  took  the  constitutional  oath  without  public  formality. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


271 


With  the  inauguration  of  Grover  Cleveland  as  President  of  the  United 
States,  on  the  4th  of  March,  1885,  the  Democratic  party  once  more  ac- 
quired the  control  of  the  government,  after  a  period  of  twenty-four  years. 
In  magnitude  and  grandeur,  in  the  diversity  of  its  features  of  interest,  this 
inauguration  far  exceeded  all  that  had  preceded  it  since  the  capital  city 
was  established.  The  day  was  well  nigh  perfect, — a  clear,  sunny  day, 
with  the  fragrant,  delightful  air  of  spring.  There  was  the  largest  out- 
pouring of  people  ever  known  in  Washington.  The  lowest  estimate  gives 
the  number  of  visitors  from  all  sections  of  the  country  at  one  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand,  and  there  is  good  reason  for  the  belief  that  there  were 
as  many  as  two  hundred  thousand.  For  the  first  time  the  broad,  spacious 
city  seemed  crowded,  but  the  immense  multitude  was  accommodated  with 
a  great  deal  less  trouble  and  discomfort  than  might  have  been  expected. 
The  military  parade  was  the  grandest  and  most  extensive  since  the  review 
of  the  army  in  1865,  and  the  civic  parade  was  never  equalled  in  extent  and 
variety.  About  thirty  thousand  men  were  in  the  march  with  bright  and 
handsome  uniforms,  glistening  arms,  and  magnificent  banners,  and  the 
long  line  as  it  stretched  up  Pennsylvania  avenue  as  far  as  could  be  seen 
was  a  superb  and  remarkable  sight.  The  city  was  decorated  as  it  never 
had  been  before,  and  along  the  principal  thoroughfares  the  buildings  were 
nearly  hidden  by  rich  and  brilliant  decorations.  Pennsylvania  avenue  for 
more  than  a  mile  was  one  unbroken  mass  of  flags  and  bunting  and  deco- 
rative embellishments.  All  the  government  buildings  were  adorned  in  a 
beautiful  manner,  and  some  of  them  were  notable  for  the  extent  and 
artistic  arrangement  of  their  decorations.  Nothing  occurred  to  mar  the 
festivities,  and  the  inauguration,  all  in  all,  was  an  event  long  to  be  re- 
membered. 

Cleveland's  journey  from  the  White  House  to  the  Capitol  to  be  in- 
augurated was  the  first  ceremony  of  the  day.  At  an  early  hour  a  great 
crowd  gathered  around  the  hotel  where  the  Presidential  party  had  rooms, 
all  eager  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  man  who  was  to  guide  the  ship  of  state 
for  four  years.  Shortly  after  ten  o'clock  a  carriage  drove  up  to  the  hotel 
with  the  committee  appointed  to  escort  Cleveland  to  the  White  House. 
Cleveland  soon  appeared  on  the  hotel  steps,  and  was  greeted  by  en- 
thusiastic cheers.  He  saluted  the  crowd  in  a  cordial  manner,  and  entering 
the  carriage  was  driven  to  the  White  House,  followed  by  hundreds  of 
people,  who  cheered  again  and  again  as  they  hastened  along  the  street. 
When  the  White  House  was  reached  President  Arthur  advanced  and  wel- 
comed the  President-elect.  Hearty  handshaking  followed,  and  then  the 
party  entered  the  East  Room  to  await  the  arrival  of  Vice-President-elect 
Hendricks.     When  he  arrived  a  warm  greeting  was  given  him.     An  an- 


2/2 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


nouncement  was  soon  made  that  all  was  ready  for  the  departure  for  the 
Capitol.  Two  elegant  carriages  had  been  provided  for  the  party.  The 
first  was  drawn  by  four  bay  horses  and  conveyed  the  President  and  the 
President-elect  and  two  Senators;  the  second  was  drawn  by  four  white 
Arabian  horses  and  conveyed  the  Vice-President-elect  and  two  Senators. 
The  carriages  were  driven  from  the  White  House  grounds  to  the  place 
awaiting  them  in  the  procession  which  had  been  formed  to  escort  the 
party  to  the  Capitol.  There  was  tumultuous  cheering  as  the  multitude 
recognized  the  occupants  of  the  carriages.  The  order  to  march  was  soon 
given,  and  the  procession  moved  rapidly  down  Pennsylvania  avenue. 

A  body  of  United  States  troops  headed  the  procession,  their  ranks 
extending  entirely  across  the  broad  avenue.  Then  followed  a  battalion 
of  the  Marine  Corps  of  the  navy  with  the  celebrated  Marine  Band.  The 
Presidential  party  came  next,  escorted  by  General  H.  W.  Slocum,  the  chief 
marshal,  and  his  staff,  and  the  First  Troop  Philadelphia  City  Cavalry,  and 
followed  by  the  National  Democratic  Committee  and  the  Inauguration 
Committee  in  carriages.  The  militia  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  headed 
by  the  Washington  Light  Infantry,  came  next,  and  the  escorting  division 
was  closed  by  various  posts  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  The 
avenue  was  filled  with  a  solid  mass  of  humanity,  and  the  Presidential 
party  received  an  ovation  all  along  the  line  of  march.  Men  shouted  them- 
selves hoarse,  women  frantically  waved  handkerchiefs,  and  all  sorts  of 
demonstrations  were  made.  Words  would  fail  to  give  an  idea  of  the  enthu- 
siasm and  popular  feeling.  Cleveland  kept  his  hat  in  his  hand  and  bowed 
to  the  right  and  left  almost  constantly  as  his  carriage  rolled  along.  The 
same  hearty  reception  was  given  to  Hendricks,  whose  carriage  followed. 
When  the  Presidential  party  reached  the  eastern  grounds  of  the  Capitol 
it  was  received  by  another  demonstration  of  enthusiasm  from  a  vast  mul- 
titude filling  every  part  of  the  extensive  area.  The  shouts  which  arose 
were  loud  and  prolonged,  and  only  ceased  when  Cleveland  and  Hendricks 
had  disappeared  within  the  building. 

Inside  the  Capitol  a  distinguished  audience  had  gathered  to  witness 
the  inaugural  ceremony.  The  Senate  chamber  was  crowded.  All  the 
high  officials  of  the  government  were  present,  together  with  the  leading 
officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  the  diplomatic  corps,  and  the  justices  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  The  Senate  galleries  were  filled 
with  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  had  been  honored  with  special  invitations. 
The  Senate  was  engaged  in  the  closing  business  of  the  Forty-eighth  Con- 
gress, but  the  Senators  had  plenty  of  leisure  to  receive  their  visitors. 
Shortly  after  twelve  o'clock  President  Arthur  entered  the  chamber,  and 
was  escorted  to  a  seat  immediately  in  front  of  the  desk  of  the  President 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


273 


of  the  Senate.  Then  the  announcement  was  made,  "  The  President-elect 
of  the  United  States,"  and  Cleveland,  attended  by  two  Senators,  appeared 
at  the  main  door  of  the  Senate.  At  his  appearance  the  entire  assemblage 
rose  and  applauded  heartily.  He  advanced  down  the  aisle,  bowing  first  to 
the  right  and  then  to  the  left,  bearing  his  honors  with  dignity  and  perfect 
self-possession,  and  took  a  seat  by  the  side  of  President  Arthur.  Vice- 
President-elect  Hendricks  was  then  announced,  and  was  received  with 
great  applause.  He  advanced  to  the  desk  of  Acting  Vice-President 
Edmunds  and  took  the  oath  of  office  as  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States.  Acting  Vice-President  Edmunds  then  delivered  a  brief  valedictory 
address,  and  declared  the  Senate  adjourned  without  day. 

Vice-President  Hendricks  at  once  took  the  seat  of  the  presiding 
officer,  and  called  the  Senate  to  order  in  extra  session.  Prayer  was 
offered  by  the  chaplain  of  the  Senate,  after  which  the  Vice-President 
made  a  short  address.  The  new  Senators  were  sworn  in,  and,  after  some 
other  business  had  been  transacted,  a  procession  was  formed  to  escort 
the  President  and  President-elect  to  the  platform  in  front  of  the  central 
portico  of  the  Capitol,  where  the  inaugural  ceremony  was  to  take  place. 


PRESIDENT  CLEVELAND    ENTERING   THE   ROTUNDA   OF   THE   CAPITOL   ON   THE   WAY 

TO   HIS    INAUGURATION. 

18 


274 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


The  procession  was  made  up  as  follows :  Marshal  of  the  District  of 
Columbia  and  Marshal  of  the  Supreme  Court,  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  of  the  Senate,  the  Committee  of  Arrange- 
ments, the  President  and  the  President-elect,  the  Vice-President  and  the 
Secretary  of  the  Senate,  Members  of  the  Senate,  the  Diplomatic  Corps, 
Heads  of  the  Departments,  the  Lieutenant-General  of  the  Army,  the 
Admiral  of  the  Navy,  and  the  Officers  of  the  Army  and  Navy  who,  by 
name,  have  received  the  thanks  of  Congress,  Members  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  and  members-elect,  Governors  and  ex-Governors  of 
States,  Officers  of  the  Senate,  and  Officers  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. 

The  procession  moved  through  the  rotunda  of  the  Capitol,  and  at 
precisely  half-past  twelve  o'clock  emerged  from  the  main  door  on  to  the 
portico.  The  platform  erected  for  the  inaugural  ceremony  was  nearly  one 
hundred  feet  square,  and  was  the  largest  ever  used  for  such  an  occasion. 
It  was  covered  with  two  thousand  chairs,  for  the  accommodation  of  those 
who  had  been  present  in  the  Senate  chamber,  and  was  profusely  draped 
with  American  flags.  The  multitude  in  front  of  the  platform  extended  in 
a  compact  mass  clear  back  to  the  edge  of  the  eastern  park,  and  its  flanks 
spread  out  over  a  thousand  feet  to  the  right  and  left,  while  many  thou- 
sands more  were  gathered  on  the  grounds  farther  back.  It  is  believed 
there  were  two  hundred  thousand  people  in  this  assemblage,  which  was 
the  greatest  ever  seen  at  an  inauguration.  On  the  streets  and  avenues 
east  of  the  Capitol  the  military  and  civic  organizations  which  were  to 
participate  in  the  grand  parade  were  massed  in  columns,  and  as  far  as 
could  be  seen  were  flashing  bayonets,  waving  banners,  gay  uniforms,  and 
richly-caparisoned  horses,  making  a  pageant  of  rare  magnificence. 

The  seats  on  the  platform  were  quickly  filled  by  those  who  had  formed 
the  Presidential  escort  and  others  who  had  been  admitted  to  the  Capitol. 
In  a  few  minutes  President  Arthur  and  President-elect  Cleveland  appeared 
on  the  portico,  accompanied  by  the  Chief  Justice  and  Associate  Justices 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  and  the  Congressional  com- 
mittee, and  advanced  down  the  platform  to  the  seats  in  front  reserved  for 
them.  There  was  an  outburst  of  applause  from  those  on  the  platform, 
which  was  followed  by  cheer  upon  cheer  from  the  vast  multitude  on  the 
Capitol  grounds. 

After  a  short  pause,  Cleveland  rose  and  began  his  inaugural  address. 
He  was  dressed  in  a  plain  black  suit,  and  appeared  perfectly  at  ease.  His 
voice  was  clear  and  resonant,  and  his  words  could  be  heard  at  a  great 
distance.  His  address  was  delivered  from  memory,  and  only  occasional 
reference  was  made  to  the  notes  he  held  in  his  hand.     At  every  pause 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


27s 


PRESIDENT   CLEVELAND   TAKING   THE   OATH   OF   OFFICE. 


cheers  were  given,  and  the  forcible  and  manly  style  of  the  speaker  im- 
pressed all  who  listened  to  him.  The  address  was  brief,  and  at  a  few 
minutes  past  one  o'clock  he  had  finished.  Turning  to  Chief  Justice 
Morrison  R.  Waite,  he  bowed  and  said,  "  I  am  now  prepared  to  take  the 
oath  prescribed  by  law." 

The  Chief  Justice  rose  to  administer  the  oath,  which  he  recited  in  a 
distinct  tone.  The  oath  is  as  follows:  "  I  do  solemnly  swear  that  I  will 
faithfully  execute  the  office  of  President  of  the  United  States,  and  will,  to 
the  best  of  my  ability,  preserve,  protect,  and  defend  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States."  Cleveland  said,  "  I  swear,"  and  reverently  kissed  the 
open  Bible,  which  he  took  in  his  hands.  Then  laying  it  down  he  shook 
hands  with  the  Chief  Justice,  who  warmly  congratulated  him  as  the 
twenty-second  President  of  the  United  States.  The  other  persons  on  the 
platform  then  pressed  forward  and  congratulated  him,  and  the  multitude 
on  the  Capitol  grounds  shouted  with  great  enthusiasm.     In  a  few  minutes 


2/6 


THE'  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


President  Cleveland  left  the  platform,  walked  to  the  basement  entrance  of 
the  Capitol,  and  entered  his  carriage,  to  be  driven  in  the  grand  procession 
up  Pennsylvania  avenue  to  the  White  House. 

The  Bible  used  in  administering  the  oath  of  office  was  a  small,  well- 
worn  volume  bound  in  leather,  which  had  been  given  to  President  Cleve- 
land by  his  mother  when  he  left  home  in  his  youth  to  seek  his  fortune  in 
the  world,  and  always  had  been  cherished  by  him.  On  its  front  cover 
was  the  name,  "  S.  G.  Cleveland."  By  the  President's  special  request  it 
was  used  for  the  ceremony.  It  was  opened  by  the  Chief  Justice  without 
any  intention  of  selecting  a  particular  place,  and  the  place  that  was  kissed 
by  the  President  was,  therefore,  the  result  purely  of  chance.  As  the  type 
used  in  the  Bible  is  small,  the  lips  of  the  President  touched  six  verses  of 
the  ii2th  Psalm,  from  verse  5  to  verse  10  inclusive.    They  are  as  follows: 

"  A  good  man  showeth  favor,  and  lendeth  :  he  will  guide  his  affairs 
with  discretion. 

"  Surely  he  shall  not  be  moved  forever;  the  righteous  shall  be  in  ever- 
lasting remembrance. 

"  He  shall  not  be  afraid  of  evil  tidings ;  his  heart  is  fixed,  trusting  in 
the  Lord. 

"  His  heart  is  established  ;  he  shall  not  be  afraid,  until  he  see  his 
desire  upon  his  enemies. 

"  He  hath  dispersed,  he  hath  given  to  the  poor ;  his  righteousness 
endureth  forever;  his  horn  shall  be  exalted  with  honor. 

"The  wicked  shall  see  it,  and  be  grieved;  he  shall  gnash  with  his 
teeth,  and  melt  away;  the  desire  of  the  wicked  shall  perish." 

During  the  inaugural  ceremony  the  procession  had  been  well  organ- 
ized by  the  marshals,  and  when  the  Presidential  party  arrived  to  take  its 
place  in  line  the  order  to  march  was  given  promptly,  and  the  column 
moved  down  Capitol  Hill.  General  H.  W.  Slocum,  chief  marshal,  rode 
at  the  head  of  the  column,  followed  by  his  staff  and  members  of  the  in- 
auguration committee,  all  mounted.  Then  came  the  Presidential  party  in 
two  carriages.  The  first  carriage  contained  President  Cleveland,  ex-Presi- 
dent Arthur,  and  two  Senators ;  the  second  carriage  contained  Vice- 
President  Hendricks  and  two  Senators. 

Then  followed  the  first,  or  escort  division,  commanded  by  Brevet 
Major-General  R.  B.  Ay  res,  United  States  Army.  The  division  was 
headed  by  two  battalions  of  United  States  artillery  from  Fort  McHenry 
and  Fortress  Monroe,  Light  Battery  A,  and  a  battalion  of  the  United 
States  Marine  Corps.  Then  came  the  militia  organizations  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  as  follows :  Washington  Light  Infantry,  Union  Veteran 
Corps,  National  Rifles,  Washington  Continentals,  Emmet  Guard,  Wash- 


2/8 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


ington  Rifle  Corps,  Butler  Zouaves,  Washington  Cadet  Corps,  Capitol 
City  Guards,  and  Webster  Rifles.  The  division  was  closed  by  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  Department  of  the  Potomac,  parading  with  ten 
posts. 

The  second  division  was  entirely  composed  of  the  National  Guard  of 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  Major-General  John  F.  Hartranft,  commanding. 
The  first  brigade  consisted  of  the  First,  Second,  Third,  and  Sixth  Regi- 
ments,  the  State  Fencibles,  the  First  Troop  Philadelphia  City  Cavalry,  the 
Gray  Invincibles,  and  Battery  A.  The  second  brigade  consisted  of  the 
Fifth,  Tenth,  Fourteenth,  Fifteenth,  Sixteenth,  and  Eighteenth  Regiments, 
the  Sheridan  Troop,  and  Battery  B.  The  third  brigade  consisted  of  the 
Fourth,  Eighth,  Ninth,  Twelfth,  and  Thirteenth  Regiments,  and  Battery 
C.  About  7500  men  were  in  this  division,  and  each  brigade  had  a  band, 
and  each  regiment  a  fife  and  drum  corps. 

The  third  division  was  in  command  of  Major-General  Fitzhugh  Lee, 
01  Virginia.  First  in  line  were  troops  composing  the  Virginia  Volunteers, 
as  follows:  Corps  of  Cadets  from  the  Virginia  Military  Institute;  Com- 
panies A,  B,  and  D,  First  Regiment  of  Virginia ;  Richmond  Light  In- 
fantry Blues  ;  St.  John's  Academy  Cadets,  Alexandria  ;  Second  Regiment 
of  Virginia ;  Harrisburg  Guards ;  Anderson  Guards ;  W^inchester  Light 
Infantry;  Berneville  Company;  Warren  Light  Infantry;  Third  and 
Fourth  Regiments  of  Virginia;  Wise  Light  Infantry;  Norfolk  City 
Guard;  Petersburg  Grays;  Second  Battalion  Virginia  Volunteers; 
Langston  Guard ;  Virginia  Guard ;  Seaboard  Elliot  Grays,  Portsmouth ; 
National  Guard  ;  Hannibal  Guard  ;  Garfield  Light  Infantry,  Fredericks- 
burg; State  Guard,  Richmond. 

Then  followed  the  American  Rifles,  Wilmington,  Del. ;  Phil  Kearney 
Guard,  Elizabeth,  N.  J. ;  Governor's  Guards,  Columbia,  S.  C. ;  Clarke 
Light  Infantry,  and  Clinch  Rifles,  Augusta,  Ga. ;  Fifth  Regiment  Mary- 
land National  Guard ;  Governor's  Guards,  Annapolis,  Md. ;  Bond  Guard, 
Catonsville,  Md. ;  Towson  Guards,  Towson,  Md. ;  Monumental  City 
Guards,  Baltimore ;  Baltimore  Rifles ;  Washington  Infantry,  Pittsburg, 
Pa.;  South  Carolina  Volunteers,  Charleston,  S.  C. ;  Sixty-ninth  Regiment 
National  Guard,  State  of  New  York ;  Jackson  Corps,  Albany,  N.  Y. ; 
Thirty-first  Separate  Company  National  Guard,  State  of  New  York, 
Mohawk,  N.  Y. ;  Washington  Continentals,  Schenectady,  N.  Y. ;  Des 
Grenadiers  Rochambeau,  New  York  City;  Hornet's  Nest  Riflemen,  Char- 
lotte, N.  C. ;  Forsythe  Riflemen,  Winston,  N.  C. ;  Edgecombe  Guards, 
Tarborough,  N.  C. ;  Meagher  Guards,  Providence,  R.  I. ;  Busch  Zouaves, 
St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  High  School  Cadets,  Corcoran  Cadets,  National  Rifles' 
Cadets,  Gonzaga  Cadets,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Light  Guards,  Sandusky,  O. 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  27Q 

All  the  military  organizations  had  bands  of  music  or  fife  and  drum 
corps. 

The  fourth  division  was  in  command  of  Major  Thomas  J.  Luttrell,  and 
was  composed  of  civic  organizations,  as  follows :  Jackson  Democratic 
Association,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Society  of  Tammany,  Irving  Hall  Dem- 
ocratic Club,  and  the  County  Democracy,  New  York  City;  Democratic 
Phalanx,  Albany,  N.  Y. ;  Kings  County  Democracy,  and  the  Cleveland 
and  Hendricks  War  Veterans,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  Democratic  Club,  Har- 
lem, N.  Y. ;  Thomas  Jefferson  Club,  New  York  City ;  Young  Men's 
Democratic  Club,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Bayard  Legion,  Wilmington,  Del; 
Joel  Parker  Association,  and  the  Kruger  Engineers,  Newark,  N.  J. ;  New 
Jersey  Democratic  Battalion,  Camden,  N.  J. ;  Iroquois  Club,  and  the  Cook 
County  Democracy,  Chicago,  111.;  Duckworth  Club,  Cincinnati,  O. ; 
Democratic  Legion,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ;  Jefferson  Club,  Cincinnati,  O. ;  Jack- 
son Club,  and  the  Democratic  Glee  Club,  Columbus,  O. ;  Americus  Club, 
Samuel  J.  Randall  Association,  R.  S.  Patterson  Association,  Moyamensing 
Legion,  Hancock  Veteran  Association,  Sensenderfer  Young  Men's  Demo- 
cratic Association,  Eleventh  Ward  Randall  Club,  Samuel  J.  Randall  As- 
sociation of  First  Congressional  District,  Continental  Club,  Monroe  Club, 
Andrew  Jackson  Club,  and  First  Ward  Democratic  Association,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.;  Americus  Club,  Reading,  Pa.;  Central  Democratic  Club, 
Harrisburg,  Pa.;  Calumet  Club,  Crescent  Club,  Taney  Club,  German 
American  Democratic  Association,  Stonewall  Club,  and  Bohemian  Club, 
Baltimore,  Md.  ;  Monumental  Club,  and  the  Madison  Club,  Washington, 
D.  C. ;  Democratic  Inauguration  Club,  Portland,  Me.;  First  Cleveland 
Flag  Escort,  Moberly,  Mo. ;  Davis  Democratic  Club,  Piedmont,  W.  Va. ; 
Young  Men's  Democratic  Club,  Wheeling,  W.  Va. ;  Democratic  Flam- 
beau Club,  Topeka,  Kan.;  Democratic  Club,  Kansas  City,  Mo.;  Flag 
Cavalry  of  the  Two  Hundred  and  Nineteen  Electoral  Votes,  Washington, 
D.  C. ;  Lewinsville  Cleveland  and  Hendricks  Club,  Fairfax  County,  Va. ; 
Veteran  Firemen's  Association,  New  York  City ;  Fire  Department  of  the 
District  of  Columbia.  The  clubs  and  associations  were  accompanied  by 
bands  of  music,  and  carried  elegant  banners. 

As  the  procession  moved  up  Pennsylvania  avenue  it  presented  a  most 
magnificent  spectacle.  Constant  applause  and  cheers  were  given  the 
Presidential  party,  and  the  various  military  and  civic  organizations  were 
received  with  enthusiastic  demonstrations.  The  avenue,  the  broadest  in 
the  world,  was  densely  packed  with  spectators.  All  the  public  reserva- 
tions had  stands  extending  their  entire  length,  and  these  were  filled  to 
overflowing.  Upon  the  front  of  nearly  every  building  a  stand  was  erected 
from  one  to  three  stories  in  height,  and  all  these  stands  were  crowded. 


28o  ^-^^   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

The  military  marched  in  company  front,  and  the  clubs  and  associations 
marched  as  compactly  as  possible,  yet  the  procession,  moving  rapidly, 
was  three  hours  passing  a  given  point.  The  route  of  march  was  four 
miles  long. 

When  the  head  of  the  procession  reached  the  Treasury  building  a  halt 
was  made  for  a  few  minutes  to  allow  President  Cleveland  to  leave  the  line 
for  the  reviewing  stand  on  Pennsylvania  avenue,  directly  in  front  of  the 
White  House.  The  stand  was  profusely  decorated  with  flags  and  bunting, 
and  contained  many  prominent  people.  The  President  stood  on  a  pro- 
jecting platform  covered  with  flags,  and  remained  standing  during  the 
entire  review,  cordially  responding  to  the  salutes  of  the  various  organiza- 
tions as  they  passed.  It  was  past  five  o'clock  when  he  retired  to  the 
White  House. 

The  festivities  of  the  evening  included  a  magnificent  display  of  fire- 
works on  the  White  House  grounds,  and  the  grand  inauguration  ball  in 
the  new  Pension  building.  A  vast  assemblage  witnessed  the  fireworks, 
which  were  the  finest  ever  seen  in  Washington.  The  display  embraced 
flights  of  hundreds  of  rockets  at  a  time,  producing  a  mass  of  gold,  silver, 
and  variegated  lights,  which  had  a  superb  effect.  Japanese  shells  and  great 
bombs  were  exploded  in  immense  numbers,  and  there  were  many  varieties 
of  mines  of  stars  and  serpents,  floral  fountains,  batteries  with  signal  rockets, 
etc.,  making  mammoth  sprays  of  colored  fire.  There  were  three  prominent 
set  pieces.  The  first  consisted  of  a  portrait  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  sixty 
feet  high,  which  was  festooned  with  banners  in  national  colors,  and  pre- 
sented a  beautiful  appearance.  The  second  represented  the  eastern  front 
of  the  Capitol,  with  portraits  of  Cleveland  and  Hendricks  on  the  sides, 
while  on  one  corner  appeared  the  figure  of  a  sailor,  and  on  the  other  that 
of  a  mechanic,  and  the  motto  "  Peace  and  Prosperity"  was  displayed  above 
the  dome.  This  piece  was  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet  long  and  seventy- 
five  feet  high,  and  was  the  most  elaborate  one  ever  fired  in  the  United 
States.  The  third  set  piece  was  a  representation  in  vivid  golden  fire  of 
Niagara  Falls.  It  was  nearly  three  hundred  feet  long,  and  was  a  faithful 
presentation  of  that  great  natural  wonder.  The  display  concluded  with 
the  flight  of  five  thousand  rockets,  forming  a  gigantic  outburst  of  colored 
fire  in  mid-air. 

The  inauguration  ball  was  a  brilliant  finale  to  the  ceremonies  of  the 
day.  It  was  held  in  the  unfinished  Pension  building  on  Judiciary  Square. 
The  building  has  an  interior  court-yard  more  than  three  hundred  feet  long 
and  more  than  one  hundred  feet  wide,  and  this  was  roofed  over,  a  smooth 
floor  laid,  an>d  the  whole  interior  transformed  by  skilful  hands  into  a 
veritable  palace  of  beauty. 


232  ^-^^■^    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

The  custom  of  having  inauguration  balls  dates  back  to  the  second  in- 
auguration of  President  Washington,  in  Philadelphia,  1 793.  At  that  time 
the  following  invitation  was  published  :  "  The  members  of  the  Senate  and 
the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  are  respectfully  invited 
to  a  ball  on  the  4th  of  March,  1793,  to  be  given  by  the  Dancing  Assembly, 
in  honor  of  the  unanimous  re-election  of  George  Washington,  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  the  anniversary  of  the  present  form  of  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  and  a  parting  leave  with  the  members  of  the 
present  Congress." 

The  first  inauguration  ball  given  at  the  national  capital  was  when 
James  Madison  was  inaugurated,  in  1809.  It  took  place  at  Long's 
Hotel,  and  was  attended  by  about  four  hundred  persons,  including  ex- 
President  Jefferson,  the  high  officials  of  the  government,  members  of 
Congress,  and  the  foreign  ministers,  and  was  declared  "  a  most  brilliant 
affair."  Carusi's  Saloon,  on  Eleventh  street,  now  used  as  a  variety 
theatre,  was  for  years  the  fashionable  ball-room  of  the  city,  and  here  the 
inauguration  balls  were  usually  held  until  the  incoming  of  President 
Taylor.  The  ball  in  his  honor  was  given  in  a  structure  erected  for  the 
occasion,  as  were  the  balls  given  for  Presidents  Pierce  and  Buchanan. 
At  the  first  inauguration  of  President  Lincoln  a  temporary  structure  was 
used  for  the  ball,  but  at  his  second  inauguration  the  ball  was  held  in  the 
Patent  Office  building.  The  first  Grant  inaugural  ball  was  held  in  the 
north  wing  of  the  Treasury  building,  and  the  second  in  a  building 
erected  on  Judiciary  Square.  The  National  Museum  was  used  for  the 
Garfield  ball. 

The  ball-room  in  which  the  Cleveland  inauguration  ball  was  held  was 
remarkable  for  its  size  and  elaborate  decorations.  It  was  the  largest  ever 
used  for  a  Presidential  fete.  The  floor  had  a  waxed  surface  three  hun- 
dred and  sixteen  feet  long  and  one  hundred  and  sixteen  feet  wide.  Eight 
ponderous  columns  in  the  centre  divided  the  huge  quadrangle  into  what 
might  be  called  three  separate  rooms,  but  did  not  interfere  with  the  dancing 
or  promenading  from  end  to  end  of  the  long  court.  The  floor  was  sur- 
rounded by  capacious  galleries,  and  there  were  reception-rooms,  supper- 
rooms,  etc.,  at  the  ends  and  sides  of  the  building.  The  arrangement  of 
columns  and  galleries  gave  ample  opportunity  for  decoration,  and  flags, 
banners,  and  bunting  of  every  description  were  used  in  a  lavish  manner 
to  make  the  great  room  a  scene  of  rare  beauty.  The  central  columns 
supporting  the  roof  were  covered  with  white  muslin,  and  had  entwined 
around  them  broad  bands  of  evergreens.  Between  the  evergreens  were 
leaves  of  the  palmetto  plant,  placed  in  irregular  Japanese  designs  half-way 
up  the  columns.      The   smaller   columns   supporting   the  galleries  were 


284 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


decorated  with  palmetto  leaves  at  their  base,  and  at  their  top  silken  banners 
with  stars  of  gold  were  suspended.  The  front  of  the  galleries  was  covered 
with  drapery  of  maroon  velvet,  in  which  handsome  designs  in  golden 
thread  were  woven.  Trophy  pieces,  consisting  of  small  silk  flags  mounted 
on  silver-tipped  spears  and  upholding  a  national  shield,  were  placed  along 
the  front  of  the  galleries.  The  ceiling,  which  was  at  a  height  of  seventy- 
five  feet,  was  entirely  hidden  by  masses  of  gayly-colored  bunting,  and 
from  a  central  point  in  each  of  the  divisions  hung  hundreds  of  broad 
pennants,  interspersed  with  ropes  of  evergreens,  which  were  brought  down 
and  looped  again.st  the  wall.  The  bannered  ceiling  was  very  beautiful, 
and  the  innumerable  flags,  festoons,  and  streamers  composing  it  had  a  very 
pleasing  effect.  Great  electric  lamps  hanging  from  the  ceiling  flooded  the 
vast  room  with  a  soft,  clear  light,  and  all  the  details  of  form  and  decora- 
tion were  distinctly  brought  out. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  room  there  was  a  large,  brilliant  star  of  colored 
lights,  and  just  below  this  was  a  magnificent  Venetian  mirror,  with  a 
frame  composed  of  hundreds  of  pieces  of  cut  glass,  which  reflected  the 
colors  of  the  rainbow.  Plants  and  flowers  were  grouped  here  and  there, 
adding  color  and  fragrance.  The  walls  of  the  building  were  concealed 
by  flags  of  varied  nationalities,  and  at  short  intervals  were  silken  banners 
bearing  the  arms  of  all  nations  finely  embroidered  in  glowing  tints.  The 
entrances  to  all  the  rooms  leading  from  the  ball-room  were  draped  with 
damask  silk. curtains  of  blue,  red,  and  old  gold.  Between  the  rows  of 
columns  in  the  centre  of  the  room  were  two  music  stands,  one  for  the 
dance  music  and  the  other  for  the  concert  music.  Each  was  decorated 
with  damask  silk  and  maroon  velvet.  The  stairways  leading  to  the  gal- 
leries were  draped  with  the  flags  of  all  nations. 

The  room  set  apart  for  the  use  of  President  Cleveland  and  the 
members  of  his  party  was  artistically  decorated  and  elegantly  furnished. 
A  Wilton  carpet  covered  the  floor,  and  the  furniture  was  of  mahogany 
upholstered  in  maroon  and  blue  velvet.  The  walls  were  lined  with  satin 
banners,  and  the  windows  were  draped  with  rich  ecru  and  garnet  tapestry 
curtains.  Vines  of  smilax  festooned  the  ceiling,  making  a  beautiful  green 
bower,  and  roses  and  exotics  were  profusely  displayed.  Life-size  paintings 
of  Jefferson  and  Cleveland  hung  on  the  west  wall,  and  on  the  east  wall 
were  landscape  paintings. 

The  parlor  used  by  the  reception  committee  was  handsomely  deco- 
rated. In  addition  to  the  flowers  and  tropical  plants  there  were  eight 
large  floral  designs  specially  arranged  to  represent  the  White  House  and 
the  executive  departments  of  the  government.  The  White  House  was 
represented  by  a  design  of  the  President's  chair  made  of  red  and  white 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


285 


roses,  under  a  canopy  of  smilax  and  flowers.  For  the  Department  of 
State  there  was  a  floral  device  of  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  United  States 
surmounted  by  an  eagle ;  for  the  Treasury  Department,  a  large  combina- 
tion safe  ;  for  the  War  Department,  two  cannons  crossed  ;  for  the  Navy 
Department,  a  full-rigged  war  ship  ;  for  the  Post-Office  Department,  a 
mail-bag  marked  U.  S.  M.,  and  a  letter  addressed  to  President  Grover 
Cleveland,  and  postmarked  Washington,  D.  C,  March  4th,  9  p.m.;  for  the 
Department  of  the  Interior,  a  stump  of  a  tree  with  an  axe  imbedded  in  it, 
and  a  plough,  a  scythe,  and  a  sheaf  of  wheat  at  its  base ;  for  the  Depart- 
ment of  Justice,  a  desk  and  an  open  book,  and  the  scales  of  justice,  with 
the  motto,  "  Fiat  Justitia."  All  these  designs  were  artistically  executed 
in  immortelles,  roses  of  various  kinds,  and  lilies  of  the  valley. 

It  was  not  until  ten  o'clock  that  the  ball-room  began  to  be  crowded, 
but  from  this  time  until  far  into  the  morning  the  huge  floor  was  filled 
with  a  gay  company,  and  the  galleries  contained  a  great  throng  of  spec- 
tators. Nearly  ten  thousand  people  were  present,  and  the  receipts  from 
the  sale  of  tickets  amounted  to  about  ^40,000.  The  scene  presented  was, 
doubtless,  the  most  magnificent  ever  witnessed  in  a  ball-room  in  America, 
and  surpassed  the  most  sanguine  expectations.  The  rich  and  handsome 
toilets  of  the  ladies,  the  varied  uniforms  of  the  military  and  naval  officers, 
the  splendid  decorations,  the  great  masses  of  flowers,  the  high,  long  room 
with  its  bannered  ceiling,  all  combined  to  form  a  spectacle  of  entrancing 
effect.  Music  for  promenading  was  furnished  by  the  United  States  Marine 
Band,  and  music  for  dancing  by  the  Germania  Orchestra  of  Philadelphia. 

President  Cleveland  and  Vice-President  Hendricks  accompanied  by 
a  distinguished  party,  arrived  at  the  ball  about  eleven  o'clock.  After 
holding  a  reception,  the  Presidential  party  made  the  tour  of  the  ball- 
room, and  departed  soon  after  midnight.  The  ball  was  the  greatest 
social  success  ever  known  in  Washington,  and  fitly  closed  the  memorable 


inauguration. 


CHAPTER     XXII. 

THE  CHURCHES  OF  WASHINGTON— SKETCHES  OF  THE  ANCIENT  RELIGIOUS  ORGANIZA- 
TIONS—CHURCHES THAT  WERE  ATTENDED  BY  THE  PRESIDENTS— THE  PROMINENT 
CHURCHES-THE COLORED  POPULATION-HOW  EMANCIPATION  WAS  ACCOMPLISHED 
IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

|HERE  are  many  fine  church  edifices  in  Washington,  and  the 
number  is  rapidly  increasing  from  year  to  year.  During  the 
past  decade  there  has  been  a  marked  improvement  in  church 
architecture,  and  a  strong  desire  has  been  manifested  by  all 
the  denominations  erecting  new  churches  to  have  them  conform,  in  some 
degree  at  least,  with  the  ornate  architectural  forms  employed  throughout 
the  city  for  other  buildings.  Washington  is  a  city  of  churches,  and  even 
Brooklyn,  which  has  for  a  long  time  assumed  this  title,  does  not  now 
number  as  many  churches  in  proportion  to  the  population.  The  church 
organizations  with  but  (ew  exceptions  are  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and 
are  constantly  extending  their  fields  of  labor  and  increasing  their  influence 
and  means.  Many  years  before  the  District  of  Columbia  was  set  apart  for 
the  use  of  the  government  a  church  was  erected  on  Rock  creek,  a  short 
distance  above  the  present  limits  of  Washington.  Its  erection  was  largely 
owing  to  the  efforts  of  John  Bradford,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  dis- 
trict. He  gave  a  large  tract  of  land  for  the  church,  and  imported  bricks 
from  England  to  build  it.  In  17 19  it  wa^s  dedicated,  and  it  is,  therefore, 
one  of  the  oldest  in  the  country,  antedating  the  old  Christ  Church  in 
Alexandria  by  forty-six  years.  It  is  known  as  St.  Paul's  Church,  of  Rock 
Creek  Parish,  and  is  of  the  Episcopal  denomination.  The  edifice  has 
been  remodelled  within  a  few  years,  but  the  original  walls  remain  in  a 
good  state  of  preservation.  In  the  cemetery  attached  to  the  church  a 
large  number  of  the  early  residents  of  the  District  of  Columbia  are 
buried. 

Another  ancient  church  is  the  Christ  Episcopal   Church,  situated  in 

the  southeast  quarter  of  Washington,  near  the  navy-yard.      This  is  the 

oldest   church    in    the   city,  it   having   been    erected   in    1795,   five   years 

before  the  government  took  possession  of  the  national  capital.     At  that 

286 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


287 


ASCENSION   EPISCOPAL   CHURCH. 


time  the  city  was  little  more  than  a  "  howling  wilderness,"  and  the  founders 
of  the  little  church  had  a  hard  struggle  for  some  years  to  maintain  it. 
But  they  were  hopeful,  patient,  and  courageous,  and  year  by  year  made 
progress  towards  a  permanent  establishment.  In  1807  the  society  of 
Christ  Church,  with  the  help  ©f  citizens  of  the  eastern  part  of  Washing- 
ton, laid  out  the  ".Washington  Parish  Burial-Ground,"  on  the  banks  of  the 
Anacostia  river.  Afterwards  Congress  appropriated  money  for  the  burial- 
ground,  and  its  name  was  changed  to  "  Congressional  Cemetery."  Some 
of  the  early  Presidents  attended  divine  service  in  Christ  Church,  and  it  is 
noted  in  the  church  records  that  a  committee  waited  on  President  Monroe 
soon  after  his  inauguration  in  18 17,  and  informed  him  that  the  vestry  of 
the  church  had  passed  a  resolution  assigning  "pew  number  one"  for  his 
use  during  his  term  of  office.  Monroe  accepted  the  pew,  and  became  a 
warm  friend  and  liberal  supporter  of  the  church.  He  attended  service 
every  Sunday  morning  with  his  family,  and  was  also  frequently  present  at 
other  services. 


288  T^J^    NA7I0NAL    CAPITAL. 

In  1816  another  Episcopal  church  was  erected  in  the  northwest 
quarter  of  the  city.  This  was  St.  John's  Church,  on  the  corner  of  H  and 
1 6th  streets.  The  services  of  Benjamin  Henry  Latrobe,  the  architect  of 
the  central  part  of  the  Capitol,  were  secured  to  design  and  construct  the 
church,  and  he  produced  a  work  which  was  greatly  admired  in  those 
days.  President  Madison  worshipped  in  this  venerable  church,  and  other 
Presidents  have  been  regular  worshippers.  All  through  his  official  term 
President  Arthur  regularly  attended  the  morning  service  here. 

The  Trinity  Episcopal  Church,  corner  of  Third  and  C  streets  north- 
west, was  erected  soon  after  St.  John's.  Among  the  other  leading 
churches  of  this  denomination  are  the  Church  of  the  Ascension,  corner 
of  Massachusetts  avenue  and  Twelfth  street,  and  the  Church  of  the 
Epiphany,  on  G  street  northwest.  There  are  twenty-six  Episcopal 
churches  in  the  city. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church,  on  Four  and  one-half  street,  near 
Judiciary  Square,  which  is  attended  by  President  Cleveland,  has  num- 
bered several  Presidents  among  its  attendants.  President  Jackson  wor- 
shipped in  it  during  his  second  term,  but  during  most  of  his  first  term  he 
worshipped  in  the  Second  Presbyterian,  now  known  as  the  New  York 
Avenue  Church.  It  is  stated  that  in  President  Jackson's  first  term  "  oc- 
curred that  famous  quarrel  among  the  members  of  his  Cabinet  in  regard 
to  the  social  recognition  of  Mrs.  General  Eaton,  the  wife  of  the  Secretary 
of  War.  Before  her  marriage  with  General  liaton  she  was  known  as 
Peggy  O'Neil,  the  daughter  of  the  proprietor  of  the  leading  hotel  in 
Washington,  and  she  was  a  famous  beauty.  President  Jackson  warmly 
espoused  the  cause  of  Mrs.  Eaton,  and  in  his  characteristic  style  deter- 
mined that  every  one  else  should  do  the  same.  This  episode  was  taken 
advantage  of  by  the  factions  then  existing  in  the  Democratic  party,  led 
respectively  by  Martin  Van  Buren  and  John  C.  Calhoun,  and,  as  the 
result,  the  entire  Cabinet  was  reorganized,  and  the  political  effects  of 
what  was  alleged  to  be  jealousy  on  the  part  of  the  ladies  toward  beautiful 
Peggy  O'Neil  went  far  beyond  what  such  an  apparently  slight  cause 
would  seem  to  justify  in  the  calm  light  of  history.  At  any  rate,  the 
Mrs.  Eaton  quarrel  extended  to  the  church,  and  the  pastor  of  the  Second 
Presbyterian  refused  to  recognize  Mrs.  Eaton,  and  so  Old  Hickory,  in 
high  dudgeon,  left  the  church  and  went  to  the  First  Presbyterian,  where 
he  remained  until  his  second  term  as  President  expired,  in  1837,  and  he 
retired  to  his  home  in  Tennessee." 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  was  also  attended  by  Presidents  Polk, 
Pierce,  and  Buchanan.  The  church  society  was  organized  in  1795,  and  at 
first  held  its  meetings  on  the  Sabbath,  in  a  small  building  on  the  White 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


289 


House  grounds  used  by  the  carpenters  employed  in  constructing  the 
Presidential  mansion.  When  the  Capitol  was  erected  the  society  obtained 
permission  to  hold  meetings  in  the  chamber  occupied  by  the  Supreme 
Court,  and,  until  the  Capitol  was  burned  by  the  British  invaders,  services 
were  held  every  Sunday  in  the  court  chamber.  Afterwards,  for  nearly 
two  years,  the  society  was  compelled  to  suspend  its  services,  as  no  place 
of  meeting  could  be  obtained,  but  finally  a  small  church  was  erected 
south  of  the  Capitol.  This  church  was  used  until  1828,  when  it  was 
sold,  the  location  on  Four  and  one-half  street  secured,  and  a  new  church 
erected.  In  1859  the  present  church  was  constructed.  The  pastor  of  the 
First  Presbyterian,  Rev.  Dr.  Byron  Sunderland,  has  occupied  the  pulpit 
for  thirty-two  years,  and  during  his  long  pastorate  has  witnessed  many 
changes.     There  are  twenty-one  Presbyterian  churches  in   the  city,  the 


FIRST   PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 
19 


290 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


NEW   YORK   AVENUE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH. 


New  York  Avenue  Church  being  the  leading  one.  President  Lincoln 
attended  this  church. 

The  All  Souls'  Church,  on  Fourteenth  street  northwest,  is  the  only 
Unitarian  church  in  the  city.  It  was  dedicated  in  1878.  The  first  church 
of  this  denomination  was  erected  in  1822,  and  was  attended  by  John 
Quincy  Adams  before  and  after  he  became  President.  During  the  Civil 
War  the  church  was  used  by  the  government  as  a  hospital,  and  the 
society  was  granted  the  privilege  of  holding  its  Sunday  services  in  the 
hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

The  Church  of  Our  Father,  on  Thirteenth  street  northwest,  is  the 
only  Universalist  church  in  Washington.  It  was  occupied  by  the  Univer- 
salist  society  in  1883.  Previous  to  that  time  the  society  held  its  meetings 
in  the  Masonic  Temple  and  other  halls  for  a  number  of  years. 

There  are  fifty-two  Methodist  churches  in  the  city.  The  principal 
ones  are  the  Metropolitan  Church,  on  Four  and  one-half  street,  which 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


291 


was  attended  by  President  Grant,  and  the  Foundry  Church,  on  G  street 
northwest,  which  was  established  in  181 5.  The  Baptists  have  forty-five 
churches.  The  First  Baptist  Church  was  established  in  1803.  There  are 
four  Congregational  and  ten  Lutheran  churches. 

The  Garfield  Memorial  Church,  named  in  honor  of  President  Garfield, 
is  situated  on  Vermont  avenue,  and  is  of  the  Christian  or  Campbellite 
faith.  During  the  many  years  that  Garfield  served  in  Congress  he  was 
a  regular  attendant  at  the  little  chapel  which  formerly  stood  on  the  site 
of  this  church,  and  was  deeply  interested  in  the  Campbellite  society. 
When  he  was  elected  President  the  society  determined  to  erect  a  new 
church,  which  should  be  the  leading  one  of  the  faith  in  the  country. 
The  church  was  not  finished  at  the  time  of  the  President's  death.  In 
the  church  is  the  pew  formerly  used  by  him  and  his  family  in  the  old 
chapel.  It  is  draped  in  black,  and  is  preserved  by  the  society  as  a  sacred 
relic. 

The  principal  Catholic  church  is  St.  Patrick's,  on  G  street  northwest, 
which  was  dedicated  in  1884.     The  original  church,  which  stood  on  the 


ls^:?il:* 


ALL  souls'   unitarian   CHURCH. 


292 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

site  of  the  present  one,  was  erected  in  1804. 
St.  Matthew's,  St.  Aloysius',  and  St.  Dominic's 
are  prominent  churches.  St.  Augustine's,  on 
Fifteenth  street  northwest,  which  is  used  by 
the  colored  people,  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the 
thirteen  Catholic  churches  of  the  city. 

The  colored  people  are  well  supplied  with 
churches  of  most  of  the  denominations.  Many 
of  these  churches  have  a  large  membership  and 
are  in  a  very  flourishing  condition.     Some  of 

the  Baptist  and  Meth- 
odist church  organiza- 
tions are  very  liberally 
sustained,  and  have 
large  and  handsome 
edifices. 

At  the  present  time 
there  is  a  colored 
population    in    Wash- 

, ^-^^..ft-jx     ington  of  nearly  50,000. 

~^H^^W     When  the  city  was  first 


taken  possession  of  by 
the  government  the 
colored  people  num- 
bered about  two  thou- 
sand.  They  were 
mostly    the    slaves    of 


GARFIELD   MEMORIAL   CHURCH. 


the  planters  who  owned  the  land  on  which  the  "  Federal  city"  was  located. 
For  some  years  after  this  part  of  Maryland  was  designated  as  the  District 
of  Columbia  the  slaves  were  employed  in  agricultural  labor,  as  a  large 
number  of  the  plantations  remained  as  they  were  before  the  government 
occupied  the  district,  and  were  cultivated  with  great  care.  In  i860  the 
colored  population  had  increased  to  14,316,  but  the  greater  number  were 
freed  people.  As  soon  as  the  Civil  War  began  hundreds  of  slaves  from 
all  the  adjacent  country  came  to  Washington,  and  in  a  short  time  the 
colored  population  was  very  large.  The  government  employed  many  of 
the  colored  people  in  various  kinds  of  work  pertaining  to  the  organiza- 
tion and  equipment  of  the  army,  and  they  were  found  to  be  very  useful 
as  laborers. 

In   1 86 1   the  question  of  the   emancipation   of  the  slaves  within  the 
District  of  Colum.bia  was  agitated,  and  on  the  i6th  of  December  of  that 


^*^ii»  '111',:,   i 


ST.  Patrick's  catholic  church. 


2Q4  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

year  a  bill  for  that  purpose  was  introduced  in  the  Senate  by  Henry  Wilson. 
The  bill  provided  that  all  persons  of  African  descent  held  to  service  in 
the  District  of  Columbia  should  be  liberated,  and  that  slavery  or  involun 
tary  servitude  in  the  district  should  forever  cease,  except  as  a  punishment 
for  crime.  The  bill  also  provided  that  compensation  should  be  given  to 
the  owners  of  the  slaves,  and  the  President  was  authorized  to  appoint 
three  commissioners  to  make  an  appraisement  of  the  value  of  all  the 
slaves  liberated.  One  million  dollars  were  appropriated  by  the  bill  to  pay 
for  the  slaves.  When  the  bill  was  called  up  for  action  in  the  Senate  it 
was  debated  for  some  time  with  a  good  deal  of  earnestness  and  met  with 
considerable  opposition,  but  finally  the  Senate  passed  it  on  April  3,  1862. 
A  week  later  it  was  debated  by  the  House  of  Representatives.  The 
House  passed  it  without  much  difficulty,  and  on  April  16  it  was  signed  by 
President  Lincoln  and  became  a  law.  The  President,  in  announcing  to 
Congress  his  signature  to  the  bill,  took  occasion  to  say  that  he  had  "never 
doubted  the  constitutional  power  of  Congress  to  abolish  slavery  in  the 
District  of  Columbia." 

Commissioners  were  at  once  appointed  to  make  the  appraisement  of 
the  value  of  the  slaves,  and  they  engaged  as  an  expert  a  well-known  dealer 
in  slaves  from  Baltimore,  who  was  to  fix  the  value  of  each  slave  liberated 
under  the  law.  It  is  stated  that  "the  slaveholders  were  required  to  pre- 
sent their  petitions  setting  forth  the  names,  ages,  and  estimated  value  of 
the  slaves,  with  the  nature  of  the  title  by  which  they  were  held.  They 
were  required  to  swear  to  the  petitions,  and  to  take  and  subscribe  to  what 
is  known  as  the  '  iron-clad  oath'  of  allegiance  and  non-participation  in 
the  rebellion ;  but  these  oaths  were  not  to  be  received  by  the  commis- 
sioners as  conclusive  proof  of  the  facts  sworn  to.  The  commissioners 
were  required  to  invite  and  receive  testimony  in  regard  to  the  loyalty 
of  the  claimants,  the  validity  of  their  titles,  and  to  the  value  of  the 
slaves." 

The  commissioners  held  their  sessions  in  the  old  City  Hall,  now  the 
District  Court-House,  and  to  this  building  "the  claimants  came  with  their 
troops  of  slaves"  to  be  examined.  Every  day  a  large  number  of  slaves 
were  examined  by  the  expert,  under  the  supervision  of  the  commissioners. 
The  slaves  were  examined  very  carefully,  and  the  expert  even  had  most 
of  them  "  open  their  mouths,  in  order  that  he  might  see  their  teeth.  He 
considered  sound  teeth  as  an  indication  of  sound  health."  Crowds  of 
citizens  were  in  attendance,  and  there  was  a  good  deal  of  merriment  over 
the  examinations.  The  liberated  slaves  were  jubilant,  and  freely  dis- 
played their  characteristics,  laughing  and  singing  and  making  many  funny 
speeches.     The  commissioners  were  in  session  about  nine  months,  and 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


295 


ST.  Augustine's  catholic  church. 


disbursed  during  that  time  $(^\^s^\2  as  compensation  to  the  slaveholders 
and  for  expenses.  Compensation  was  allowed  for  2989  slaves.  There 
were  one  hundred  and  one  slaves  who  were  too  old  or  too  feeble  to  be 
worth  anything,  and  compensation  for  them  was  refused.  The  highest 
sum  allowed  for  a  slave  was  ;$788,  and  the  lowest  ^10.95.  In  the  latter 
case  the  slave  was  an  infant.  The  largest  slaveholder  in  the  district  had 
sixty-nine  slaves,  and  he  received  $\y,77i  for  them. 

In  the  act  of  emancipation  there  was  a  provision  for  the  colonization 
in  Hayti  or  Liberia  of  such  of  the  liberated  slaves  as  desired  to  emigrate 
to  either  of  those  countries,  and  the  sum  of  ^100,000  was  appropriated  to 
carry  out  the  provision.  Some  effort  was  made  towards  colonization,  but 
it  was  found  that  few  of  the  freed  people  cared  to  leave  the  United  States, 
and,  therefore,  this  part  of  the  act  was  of  very  little  effect. 

Since  1862  the  colored  people  of  the  District  of  Columbia  have  annu- 
ally celebrated  "  emancipation  day,"  and  the  i6th  of  April  is  always  made 
the  occasion  of  great  rejoicing. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

THE  NATIONAL  CAPITAL  AS  IT  IS  TO-DAY— VARIOUS  ATTRACTIVE  FEATURES-THE 
IMPROVEMENTS  TO  BE  MADE— NOTABLE  EXAMPLKS  OF  THE  BEAUTIFUL  AND 
ARTISTIC  HOMES  IN  THE  WEST  END  AND  ELSEWHERE  IN  THE  CITY— THE 
ENVIRONS— SOME   INTERESTING   LOCALITIES. 

|HE  city  of  Washington,  unlike  many  other  cities  of  the  country, 
continually  grows  in  beauty  as  it  grows  in  greatness.  With 
the  increase  in  population  and  wealth,  and  the  advancement 
of  a!ll  its  material  interests,  the  city  is  steadily  assuming  grace 
and  attractiveness.  The  great  change  that  has  taken  place  everywhere 
within  its  borders  during  the  past,  ten  years  astonishes  those  who  recollect 
it  in  the  war  period,  and  even  for  some  time  after  the  war,  and  who  con- 
trast it  as  it  was  then  with  the  city  of  to-day, — the  new  and  magnificent 
Washington,  with  its  miles  of  smooth  pavements  on  which  carriage 
riding  is  delightful,  its  lovely  small  parks  in  every  quarter  filled  in  the 
spring  and  summer  with  rare  plants  and  flowers,  its  elegant  homes  and 
business  structures,  and  its  appearance  of  thrift  and  enterprise.  Thou- 
sands of  people  in  different  parts  of  the  country  who  have  not  visited  the 
city  for  a  long  time,  and  who  remember  with  a  feeling  of  repugnance  its 
muddy,  unpaved  streets  and  generally  dilapidated  condition  in  years  past, 
can  hardly  credit  the  current  stories  of  the  vast  improvements  that  have 
been  made.  The  improvements  extended  to  all  parts  of  Washington,  and 
were  so  comprehensive  and  thorough  that  the  transformation  was  com- 
plete. The  national  capital  emerged  from  its  stagnant,  morbid  condition, 
and  became  vigorous,  progressive,  and  alert.  Old  forms  and  ideas  were 
discarded,  and  there  was  developed  a  strong  desire  for  all  those  things 
which  make  an  admirable  city,  alike  agreeable  to  its  people  and  to 
strangers.  Year  by  year  much  has  been  .done  in  the  line  of  progression, 
and  those  who  now  look  on  the  city  for  the  first  time  find  it  hard  to 
believe  that  it  ever  was  commonplace  and  unpleasant.  In  the  days  when 
it  was  struggling  for  an  existence,  and  for  a  long  while  afterwards,  the 
city  had  to  meet  the  contempt  and  indifference  of  the  people  of  the 
country,  who  seemed  to  have  no  feeling  of  pride  in  the  progress  and 
296 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


>97 


THE    ANCIENT   SEWARD    MANSION. 


development  of  their  seat  of  government,  but,  instead,  had  a  feehng  of 
jealousy,  of  anger  and  resentment,  because  it  was  located  on  the  banks 
of  the  Potomac.  Congress  was  always  indifferent,  and  to  this  day  has  to 
be  spurred  by  public  opinion  to  give  to  the  city  the  things  it  needs,  and 
which  should  be  given  to  it.  But,  in  spite  of  all  its  drawbacks,  the  city 
has  grown  to  be  a  capital  of  great  beauty,  and  is  constantly  adding 
attractive  features  and  acquiring  fame  throughout  the  land.  It  is  the 
fashion  now  to  admire  Washington,  and  to  talk  and  write  of  it  in  glowing 
terms.  The  tide  of  popular  favor  flows  hitherward,  and  is  likely  so  to 
flow  for  many  a  year. 

It  is  believed  that  within  a  very  short  time  Washington  will  become 
the  social  and  intellectual,  as  well  as  the  political,  centre  of  the  United 


298 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


-  < 
■  s 


RESIDENCE  OF  JAMES   A.   GARFIELD   WHILE  A 
MEMBER    OF   CONGRESS. 


States.  It  possesses  many  advantages  for  persons  of  wealth  and  leisure, 
for  those  engaged  in  literary  occupations,  in  art  and  in  the  professions, 
and  every  year  these  advantages  are  better  appreciated  and  sought  after. 
A  social  life  not  to  be  found  elsewhere  in  America  can  be  enjoyed  even 
by  men  and  women  of  moderate  means.  Interesting  people  from  all 
parts  of  the  country, — people  of  refinement,  wide  experience,  and  great 
ability, — who  talk  well,  who  have  bright  ideas,  who  are  not  fettered  by 
local  prejudice  or  illiberality,  are  constantly  met  with.  The  city  is  always 
full  of  people  of  national  fame, — statesmen,  jurists,  authors,  artists,  scien- 
tists, great  soldiers  and  sailors,  explorers,  inventors, — and  in  all  the  social 
gatherings  they  are  to  be  seen  and  their  society  can  be  enjoyed.  In  this 
respect  alone  Washington  is  far  in  advance  of  all  other  cities  of  the 
country.  A  well-informed  writer  says :  "  Of  course  no  one  will  be  rash 
enough  to  assert  that  Washington  must  ever  remain  the  national  capital, 
but  after  the  millions  spent  upon  public  buildings  and  improvements,  and 
since   annihilation  of   space  by  modern   invention  and  discovery  makes 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


299 


neighbors  of  all  parts  of  the  country,  a  change  is  not  probable.  There- 
fore, as  years  go  by,  Americans  will  look  to  Washington  as  the  Mecca 
of  thought  in  all  phases.  The  bigger  the  republic  grows  the  more 
necessary  will  a  rallying  point  become.  The  North,  South,  East,  and 
West  will  meet  in  Washington  on  common  ground.  Sectional  egotism 
will  disappear  in  the  full  light  of  national  glory,  and  as  to-day  a  trip  to 
Europe  is  considered  necessary  to  a  liberal  education,  so,  in  a  not  distant 
to-morrow,  a  sojourn  in  Washington  will  be  regarded  as  necessary  to  all 
who  would  have  a  thorough  knowledge  of  this  republic." 

Washington  is  a  favorite  winter  resort,  and  even  in  summer  it  is 
preferable  to  many  cities  of  the  North,  as  of  late  years  it  has  been  found 
that  the  heat  was  not  near  as  great  as  in  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and 
even  Boston.  The  records  of  the  Weather  Bureau  show  this  conclusively. 
The  city  in  summer  is  a  mass  of  foliage,  every  street  having  rows  of  trees 


RESIDENCE   OF   WILLIAM   W.  CORCORAN. 


300 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


^jfi 


vli  |i-  *;:;.  iJiicf  w 


^•^^  an 

jj.v;iu]iillia9niir!U3'nni33EQxiit«3X!Ui2i]uii>]aiTlir  IrSMjral^O 

' ',r.i.rnnimvr-~g-.iNHi'«iaflM»^'' 


m'^^'-^mm'iiiTTr^-^-   ^<'"mil[^ 


RESIDENCE   OF  JEROME   NAPOLEON   BONAPARTE. 


which  afford  grateful  shade,  and  at  all  times  there  are  cooling  breezes 
from  the  wooded  hills  which  encircle  the  city.  Newport  and  Saratoga  in 
July  and  August  are  hotter  and  more  uncomfortable  than  Washington, 
and  this  has  been  so  thoroughly  demonstrated  that  it  is  now  quite  the 
custom  for  many  families  who  formerly  visited  those  resorts  to  remain  at 
home  during  the  heated  term,  and  make  their  vacation  trips  in  the  spring 
and  fall.  Washington  is  the  only  thoroughly  sylvan  city  in  the  United 
States.  Tree-planting  is  done  by  a  regular,  competent  system,  and  no 
part  of  the  city,  not  even  the  poorest  quarter,  is  devoid  of  fine  shade 
trees,  which  on  many  streets  completely  cover  the  walks.  Rows  of  trees 
are  planted  on  all  new  streets  as  soon  as  they  are  graded  and  open  to 
travel,  and  the  parking  commission  carefully  watches  the  growth  of  the 
trees  from  month  to  month.  In  the  parks,  squares,  and  circles  thousands 
of  beautiful,  aromatic  plants  and  flowering  shrubs  are  set  out  every  spring 
by  the  government,  and  roses  and  all  the  favorite  flowers  are  to  be  seen  in 
great  profusion  in  the  public  and  private  gardens.  In  the  Capitol  park 
and  in  the  splendid  gardens  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  from  May 
to  November,  are  to  be  found  the  choicest  floral  productions,  embracing 
many  varieties  of  foreign  origin  seldom,  if  ever,  seen  elsewhere  in  the 
country.     All  the  parks  and  gardens  are  open  to  the  public  every  day, 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


301 


comfortable  seats  are  provided,  and  plenty  of  fountains  supply  pure 
drinking  water. 

At  an  early  day  a  great  park  with  nearly  three  thousand  acres  of  land 
is  to  be  laid  out  along  the  banks  of  the  picturesque  Rock  creek,  which 
flows  north  of  the  city.  Massachusetts  avenue  will  be  extended  across 
the  creek,  and  will,  doubtless,  be  lined  with  fine  houses,  and,  beginning 
north  of  the  extension,  the  park  will  be  laid  out  for  three  miles.  Rock 
creek  is  a  beautiful  stream.  It  winds  among  the  wooded  hills  of  the 
northern  part  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  has  a  great  deal  of 
romantic  scenery.  In  the  course  of  a  i^"^  years  the  Rock  creek  park  will 
be  one  of  the  loveliest  and  most  attractive  pleasure  places  to  be  found  in 
the  world. 

There  will  also  be  another  park  of  extensive  area  situated  partly  along 
the  Potomac.  The  Potomac  flats  or  marshes,  which  have  been  exceed- 
ingly unpleasant  to  look  at  and  a  great  breeding-place  for  malaria,  are 
being  rapidly  improved  by  the  government,  and  ere  long  will  be  trans- 
formed into  a  beautiful  park,  with  drives  along  the  river  bank  for  two 
miles.  It  is  likely  that  when  the  improvement  of  the  flats  is  completed 
the  extensive  grounds  of  the  arsenal  at  Greenleaf's  Point,  where  the 
waters  of  the  Anacostia  and  Potomac  mingle,  will  be  given  up  for  park 
purposes,  and  the  quarters  of  the  army  removed  to  another  location.  If 
this  is  done,  no  city  in  the  world  will  have  such  a  public  resort  as  this 
park  along  the  Potomac.     From  Greenleaf's  Point  there  is  a  charming, 


RESIDENCE    OF   ALEXANDhR    GRAHAM    BELL. 


302 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


RESIDENCE   OF  STILSON    HUTCHINS. 


far-reaching  view.  The  course  of  the  river  can  be  traced  for  miles  and 
miles,  and  on  the  sides  come  plainly  in  the  range  of  vision  the  luxuriant 
lands  of  Maryland  and  Virginia,  dotted  here  and  there  with  farm-houses 
and  villas.  The  park  will  include  the  grounds  of  the  Washington  Monu- 
ment and  the  grounds  of  the  mall,  and,  taken  together,  will  enable  one  to 
drive  or  walk  for  hours  on  shaded  roads,  past  lawns  and  gardens,  with  a 
background  of  river  and  wooded  hills,  and  all  without  leaving  the  central 
part  of  the  city  very  far  behind.  The  outlook  then  from  the  south 
windows  of  the  White  House  will  be  even  more  pleasing  than  it  is  at 
present,  as  it  will  embrace  that  portion  of  the  park  laid  out  on  the  river 
bank. 

It   has   been  very  cleverly   said,  "  Think   of  the   transformation   that 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


303 


Washington  has  undergone  since  the  war!  To-day  it  is  the  only  well- 
paved  city  in  this  country.  So  clean  and  smooth  are  its  streets  that 
pedestrians  walk  on  their  asphalt  in  preference  to  the  brick  or  stone  side- 
walks. Bicycles  abound  in  consequence,  and  the  lovers  of  driving  and 
riding  heave  a  sigh  of  relief  at  the  absence  of  the  noise,  holes,  and 
cobblestones  peculiar  to  our  great  towns,  hideous  facts  that  make  exercise 
on  wheels  or  in  the  saddle  an  agony  instead  of  a  pleasure.  Magnificent 
private  dwellings  line  the  West  End  of  the  capital ;  still  better  houses  are 
about  to  be  built.  At  last  it  begins  to  look  as  though  the  student,  the 
artist,  the  statesman,  the  retired  trader,  the  man  and  woman  of  the  world 
may  find  a  place  on  this  continent  where  escape  from  the  din  of  money- 
grabbing  is  possible,  where  culture  can  shake  hands  with  genius  in  all 
forms,  where  merit,  not  money  or  grandfathers,  is  the  entree  to  society, 
where  persons  of  leisure  may  hobnob  with  other  persons  of  leisure  and 
not  be  regarded  as  public  nuisances,  and  where  the  stock  market  is  not 
the  chief  end  of  man.  If  ever  a  people  needed  to  escape  from  themselves 
and  cultivate  repose  it  is  ourselves.  If  ever  this  repose  is  acquired  it  will 
be  in  Washington.  So  convinced  have  some  Americans  become  of  these 
probabilities  as  to  have  metamorphosed  the  national  capital.     People  of 


—      -  ■T-'-l'aHf 


RESIDENCE    OF    MRS.   M.    T.    DAHLGRK.N. 


304 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


RESIDENCE    OF   GENERAL   ANDERSON. 

fortune  are  making  it  their  home,  in  order  to 
enjoy  life  under  the  most  favorable  circum- 
stances.    For  similar  reasons  people  of  mod- 
erate and  settled  incomes  are  lured  there  also.     Comparative  poverty  is 
no  badge  of  disgrace  where  ladies  and  gentlemen  serve  the  government 
for  moderate  salaries,  where  retired  army  and  navy  officers  rank  above 
the  wealthiest  of  nouveaux  riches  while  living  modestly  on  half  pay." 

Taxation  is  light  in  Washington  as  compared  with  most  cities  of  its 
size,  particularly  those  of  the  West.  Real  estate  is  taxed  ^1.50  per  ^100. 
House  rents  are  much  lower  than  in  New  York  and  other  large  cities. 
Though  the  climate  is  by  no  means  perfect,  the  winter  is  a  great  deal 
milder  than  in  the  Northern  cities,  and  the  spring  is  a  month  earlier. 
The  splendid  public  markets,  five  in  number,  all  occupying  capacious 
brick  buildings  constructed  with  every  convenience,  are  without  a  rival  in 
the  country.  They  are  filled  to  overflowing  with  good  marketing.  The 
meats  are  the  very  best,  and  they  are  cheaper  than  in  New  York,  and  fish, 
game,  vegetables,  and  fruits  are  to  be  had  in  profusion  at  reasonable 
prices.  Washington  is  situated  in  the  centre  of  one  of  the  finest  agricul- 
tural districts  in  the  United  States.  More  wheat  to  the  acre  can  be  raised 
in  this  vicinity  than  in  any  Western  state,  and  all  kinds  of  vegetables 
grow  in  these  fertile  lands  with  remarkable  exuberance.     The  shad  and 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


305 


RESIDENCE   OF   LIEUT.  VV.   H.   EMORY. 


herring-  caught  in  the  Potomac  within  sight  of  the  city  are  noted  for  their 
lusciousness.  Forty  miles  down  the  river  are  the  famous  ducking  shores, 
where  from  November  to  April  vast  numbers  of  canvas-backs,  black-  and 
red-heads,  and  whistle-wings  feed  on  the  great  beds  of  wild  celery  which 
there  abound.  The  forests  of  Virginia,  within  a  few  miles  of  Washington, 
across  the  Potomac,  are  filled  in  the  autumn  with  wild  turkeys,  which  are 
shot  by  thousands  for  the  city  markets,  and  the  bottom-lands  along  the 
river  supply  great  quantities  of  quail  and  other  game  birds.  On  the 
upper  Potomac  the  fishing  cannot  be  excelled.  No  large  city  is  so 
favored  in  this  respect,  and,  in  consequence,  the  food  supplies  are  plentiful 
and  cheap. 


20 


3o6 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


THE  BLAINE   MANSION. 


The  libraries  and  museums  of  the  city 
afford  advantages  to  students  and  profes- 
sional men  and  women  which  few  cities 
can  present.  The  wonderfully  compre- 
hensive National  Library,  with  its  half 
million  of  books  upon  all  subjects,  is 
open  to  the  public  daily,  and  every  facility  is  given  to  those  who  desire  to 
use  the  valuable  literary  and  historical  collections.  Besides  this  library 
there  are  great  collections  of  books  on  special  subjects  in  all  .the  govern- 
ment departments,  and  most  of  these  can  be  freely  used  by  the  public. 
The  National  Museum  opens  its  doors  to  every  one,  and  students  of 
natural  history  have  the  privilege  of  inspecting  one  of  the  finest  and 
largest  collections  of  natural  and  industrial  products  to  be  found  in  the 
world.  The  museum  of  agriculture  and  of  medical  objects,  the  museums 
of  war  and  naval  implements,  the  museum  of  the  signal  office,  are  all 
admirably  arranged  and  very  complete  for  purposes  of  study  and  research. 
The  Corcoran  Gallery  of  Art  has  the  only  complete  set  oi  casts  of  antique 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


507 


Statuary  in  the  United  States,  and  has  also  many  famous  original  statues 
and  paintings.  The  schools  and  colleges  of  the  city  are  equal  to  any, 
A  writer  says,  "  Comparatively  low  rents,  good  climate, — as  climates  go, 
— good  markets,  good  roads,  good  libraries,  good  company.  What  other 
American  city  can  show  as  good  a  record  ?" 

The  improvement  of  what  is  known  as  the  West  End  is  one  of  the 
astonishing  features  of  the  sudden  and  grand  development  of  Washington. 
This  extensive  region,  comprising  an  area  of  about  five  miles,  now  covered 
with  costly  and  beautiful  residences,  was  but  a  few  years  ago  only  hillocks 
and  swamps,  which  could  be  had  almost  for  the  asking.  Acres  and  acres 
of  it  were  held  by  people  who  despaired  of  ever  disposing  of  their  lands. 
No  one  dreamed  that  it  would  eventually  contain  the  finest  mansions  in 
the  city,  and  be  held  at  a  large  sum  per  foot.  Rude  cabins,  inhabited  by 
colored  people,  dotted  the  region  here  and  there,  but  there  were  no 
graded  streets  or  marks  of  improvement.  In  the  spring  of  1872  there 
was  a  "  boom"  in  real  estate,  caused  by  the  beginning  of  the  vast  improve- 
ments under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works,  at  the  head  of 
which  was  Governor  Shepherd.    Syndicates  were  organized  by  speculators 


RESIDENCE   OF   JUSTICE   CHARLES   P.   JAMES. 


3o8 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


to  obtain  control  of  all  the  desirable  properties  in  the  city.  One  known 
as  the  "California  Syndicate"  purcliased  for  a  small  sum  squares  and  large 
blocks  of  land  in  the  neighborhood  of  what  is  now  Dupont  Circle  ;  another 
purchased  land  around  Iowa  Circle ;  and  others  acquired  tracts  in  other 
sections  of  the  West  End.  Much  of  the  land  was  obtained  for  ten, 
twenty,  and  twenty-five  cents  per  foot,  and  in  no  case  was  more  than 
seventy-five  cents  per  foot  paid,  and  this  was  for  land  that  had  been 
somewhat  improved.  The  square  on  which  the  residence  of  the  English 
legation  is  now  located  was  purchased  by  the  speculators  for  thirty-five 
cents  per  foot,  and  shortly  afterwards  sold  to  the  English  government  for 
fifty  cents. 

Shepherd  began  at  once  to  improve  the  West  End.  The  hills  were 
cut  down,  and  the  earth  used  to  fill  in  the  swamps.  Streets  and  avenues 
were  laid  out,  and  everything  necessary  was  done  to  make  the  region  a 
desirable  part  of  the  city  for  the  residences  of  wealthy  people.     When 


RESIDENCE   OF   BELDEN    NOBLE. 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


309 


RESIDENCE   OF   MRS.   F.   H.   PLUMMER. 


the  English  government,  in  1875, 

erected  its  splendid  legation  resi- 
dence a  great  impetus  was   given 

to  building  in  the  West  End,  and, 

in  rapid  succession,  fine  mansions 

were    erected    over    its    territory. 

The  price  of  land  advanced  con- 
stantly.    One  dollar  per  foot  was 

demanded,  then  two  dollars,  then 

three,  and  at  present  very  little  of 

this  section  can  be  bought  for  less 

than  five  dollars,  and  some  of  it  is 

held  at  a  much  higher  price.     The 

speculators   who   first    invested   in 

these    waste    lands    realized    great 

profits,  and  others  who  afterwards 

took  advantage  of  the  "  boom"  made  fortunes  by  shrewd  purchases. 
During  the  past  five  years  large  sums  have  been  invested  by  Northern 

capitalists  in  the  West  End,  and  also  in  other  quarters  of  the  city,  as  it  is 

believed  that  the  future  of   the  national   capital  is  assured,  and  that  it 

will  within  a  short  period  become  a 
very  large  and  flourishing  city.  The 
population  increases  rapidly,  because 
the  attractions  of  the  city  appeal  not 
only  to  politicians  and  those  connected 
with  the  government,  but  to  people  of 
culture  and  refinement  who  find  in  it 
congenial  surroundings  and  associa- 
tions. The  improvement  of  the  city 
by  the  erection  of  beautiful  houses  and 
business  edifices  goes  on  steadily,  and 
every  year  there  are  many  additions  to 
the  number.  It  is  a  well-known  fact 
that  in  no  other  city  of  the  United 
States  can  there  be  seen  such  a  great 
variety  of  elegant,  unique  residences 
and  so  little  sameness  and  monotony 
in  architecture  as  Washington  displays 
on  every  prominent  street  and  avenue. 
If  the  desire  for  diversity  and  novelty 
RESIDENCE  OF  SAMUEL  sHELLABARGEK.        prevailing    at    prcseut    is     maintained 


•  7  ^  •;  ? 


3IO 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


with  the  city's  growth  and  expansion,  it  will  eventually  have  an  extensive 
fame  as  a  capital  of  singularly  pleasing  and  attractive  architecture. 

Before  the  era  of  improvement  Washington  had  a  number  of  stately 
mansions,  mostly  constructed  after  the  Southern  style,  but  in  general  its 
architecture,  both  in  the  resident  and  business  sections,  was  commonplace 
and  quite  often  very  mean.  It  is  related  of  the  first  "  Queen  Anne"  house 
erected  in  the  city  that  "  it  was  for  a  commodore  who  knew  more  of  ships 
and  guns  than  of  houses,  and  so  the  architects  were  told  to  give  their 
fancy  rein,  and  work  out  some  new  and  pleasing  structure  without 
bothering  the  future  occupant  with  details.  The  house  was  built,  and 
did  not  please  the  conservative  Washington  of  that  day.  The  owner 
was  influenced  by  the  criticisms  of  his  neighbors,  and  was  much  troubled 
and  dispirited.  He  had  been  imposed  upon  by  some  new-fangled  thing 
which  was  laughed  at,  and  he  knew  not  whether  to  live  in  it  or  abandon 
it.  The  momentous  question  was  settled  by  visiting  Boston  friends  who 
pronounced  the  house  'quite  too  lovely  for  anything.'  That  was  sufficient. 
If  Boston  approved,  who  dare  dispute  ?  The  stern  face  of  the  commodore 
relaxed,  and  the  architects  were  congratulated.  What  might  have  been 
the  character  of  new  Washington  if  that  first  '  Queen  Anne'  had  remained 
under  the  seal  of  condemnation,  it  is  distressing  to  contemplate." 


RESIDENCE   OF   GARDNER    G.    HUBBARD. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


311 


RESIDENCES    OF    GENERAL    DRUM   AND   COMMODORE    ENGLISH. 


While  the  "  Queen  Anne"  style  is  seen  to  a  considerable  extent  in  the 
fashionable  quarter  and  elsewhere,  there  are  also  many  other  styles,  or 
artistic  combinations,  embracing  numerous  forms  of  the  antique  and 
medieval,  most  of  which  make  very  attractive  houses.  Some  of  the 
latest  houses  erected  have  a  good  deal  of  ornamentation  produced  by 
means  of  brick-work.  Bricks  are  constructed  for  the  purpose  after  special 
designs.  Large  bricks,  fan-shaped,  octagonal,  and  in  other  forms,  are  set 
in  the  walls  and  in  the  arches  over  the  windows  and  doors,  giving  variety 
and  richness,  and  some  very  fine  effects  are  produced  in  this  way.  Most 
of  the  houses,  large  or  small,  in  the  city  are  constructed  of  brick.  There 
are  many  brickyards  in  this  vicinity,  and  a  superior  sort  of  brick  is  made 
in  them,  the  clay  of  the  region  being  particularly  adapted  to  brickmaking. 
The  brick  has  a  bright  red  color,  very  pleasing  to  the  eye.  There  is  some 
use  of  brownstone,  sandstone,  and  the  peculiar  mottled  greenstone  found 


312 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


"Viuiiii; 


RESIDENCE   OF    EX-SENATOR   STEWART, 
KNOWN    AS   '•  STEWART   CASTLE." 


in  Pennsylva- 
nia, but  the  ma- 
jority of  the 
new  houses  are 
of  brick.  Mar- 
ble is  seldom 
used. 

Several  ele- 
gant houses 
have  lately  been 
con  s t  ru  c  ted 
after  the  Mexi- 
can style.  These 
are  two  stories 
in  height,  and 
have  a  large 
interior  court, 
with  balconies 
around  the 
court,  into  which  the  rooms  in  the  second  story 
•^=^^;;-   ;  ;     I         open.    It  is  a  rather  unique  style  of  architecture 

for  this  latitude,  but  seems  to  be  growing  in 
favor.  A  few  years  ago  there  was  a  decided  tendency  to  build  large, 
massive  houses,  but  of  late  smaller  houses  are  built  even  by  the  wealthiest 
people.  These  small  houses  are  given  every  form  of  ornament  considered 
to  be  proper  and  tasteful,  and  many  of  them  are  notable  for  exquisite 
beauty. 

There  is  very  little  doubt  that  the  West  End  and  all  the  contiguous 
territory,  which  has  been  selected  by  common  consent  for  the  residences 
of  wealthy  and  fashionable  people,  will  eventually  become  a  very  mag- 
nificent section.  A  vast  sum  has  already  been  expended  upon  it,  and  on 
all  its  streets  and  avenues  there  are  scores  of  artistic  and  costly  houses, 
and  new  ones  are  being  erected  every  season.  It  has  a  good  deal  of  land 
yet  to  be  improved,  and  can  accommodate  many  more  houses  of  the 
better  sort,  and  these  houses,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe,  will,  before 
ten  years  have  rolled  away,  cover  every  available  space  of  the  extensive 
region.  In  that  case,  Washington  can  claim  one  of  the  grandest  resident 
sections  in  the  world,  and  one  that  will  have  a  distinctive  grandeur.  The 
seal  of  fashion  has  been  deeply  set  on  this  section,  and  there  is  no  possi- 
bility that  it  will  ever  be  less  fashionable  than  it  is  at  present.  Other 
parts  of  the  city  may  become  in  time  noted  for'elegant  residences,  as,  for 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


313 


instance,  a  certain  portion  of  Capitol  Hill, 
which  has  already  begun  to  have  nu- 
merous beautiful  homes,  and  which  is 
preferred  by  some  for  various  reasons ; 
but,  however  large  may  be  the  growth 
and  development  elsewhere  in  this  way, 
the  West  End  is  likely  to  retain  its  pre- 
eminence as  the  quarter  for  the  world  of 
wealth  and  fashion,  whose  votaries  now 
so  numerously  inhabit  its  hundreds  of 
splendid  mansions. 

The  West  End  has  many  broad  streets 
and  avenues  all  paved  with  concrete,  and 
within  the  section  are  the  most  prominent 
public  squares   and   circles    adorned  with 

statues  of  America's  distinguished  soldiers.  Connecticut  avenue,  which 
extends  from  Lafayette  Park  to  the  northern  limits  of  the  city,  is  the 
main  thoroughfare,  and  has  a  roadway  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet  wide. 


RESIDENCE   OF   GEORGE    BANCROFT. 


1       \-:.' 


RESIDENCE   OF    EX-SENATOR    GEORGE    H.   PENDLETON. 


314 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


RESIDENCE   OF   SENATOR   J.   DONALD    CAMERON. 


Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  New  Hampshire,  and  Vermont  avenues  also 
traverse  the  section.  From  Dupont  Circle,  which  may  be  said  to  bound 
the  extreme  western  part  of  the  West  End,  ten  streets  and  avenues 
diverge,  and  from  the  other  circles  and  squares  there  are  numerous 
diverging  thoroughfares.  The  streets  are  laid  out  at  right  angles,  as  they 
are  in  all  the  other  parts  of  the  city,  and  the  avenues  cross  them  diag- 
onally. Where  the  streets  and  avenues  intersect  are  triangular  lots, 
which  permit  of  the  erection  of  oddly-shaped  houses.  On  many  of  these 
triangles  one  will  see  some  of  the  most  beautiful  forms  of  all  the  West 
End  architecture — quaint,  even  fantastic  structures,  which  give  a  measure- 
less amount  of  picturesqueness  to  the  section. 

The  illustrations  presented  in  this  chapter  include  many  of  the  notable 
residences  of  the  West  End  and  of  other  localities.  The  leading  stvles 
of  architecture  are  given.  It  is  not  proposed  to  describe  the  residences, 
as  the  illustrations  clearly  show  the  architectural  designs,  and  descriptions 
seem  unnecessary. 

There  are  numerous  houses  in  Washington  of  historical  interest.  On 
Fifteenth  and  one-half  street  (Lafayette  Square)  is  the  ancient  house 
occupied  by  Secretary  of  State  William  H.  Seward  at  the  time  the 
attempt  on  his  life  was  made  by  Payne,  one  of  the  conspirators  in  the 
Lincoln  assassination.  Previous  to  its  occupancy  by  Secretary  Seward 
it  had  been  used  as  a  club-house  for  some  time,  and  in  front  of  it  General 
Daniel  E.  Sickles  shot  and  killed  Philip  Barton  Key  as  he  stepped  from 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


315 


its  door  one  evening  in  1859.  Sickles  was  tried  for  murder  in  the  District 
Court-House  and  acquitted. 

The  residence  now  owned  and  occupied  by  William  W.  Corcoran,  at 
the  corner  of  H  and  Seventeenth  streets,  fronting  Lafayette  Park,  was 
occupied  by  Daniel  Webster  for  a  number  of  years.  At  the  rear  of  the 
house  is  a  large  garden  containing  a  fine  collection  of  plants  and  fruit- 
trees. 

During  most  of  the  time  that  the  lamented  President  Garfield  was 
a  member  of  Congress  he  resided  in  the  house  at  the  corner  of  I  and 
Thirteenth  streets,  near  Franklin  Park.     It  is  a  plain  brick  structure. 

Tiie  Van  Ness  mansion,  at  the  foot  of  Seventeenth  street,  near  the 
Potomac  river,  is  now  fast  going  to  ruin.  It  was  designed  and  con- 
structed by  Latrobe  three-quarters  of  a  century  ago,  and  was  a  famous 
house  in  the  early  years  of  the  city.  Within  its  walls  there  have  been 
many  brilliant  assemblages.  General  John  P.  Van  Ness  was  one  of  the 
notable  men  of  Washington,  and  his  wife,  Marcia  Burns  Van  Ness,  was  a 
leader  in  society  for  many  years.  The  cabin  of  David  Burns,  the  father 
of  Mrs.  Van  Ness,  is  also  standing  near  the  Van  Ness  mansion,  but  is  in 
the  last  stages  of  decay. 


■RESIDENCE   OF   GENERAL   M.    C.    MEIGS. 


3i6 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


— =^~^^^^^^^'jHimB' I 


RESIDENCE   OF   CHARLES   T.    MURRAY. 


On  New  York  avenue,  at  the  corner  of  Eighteenth  street,  is  the 
ancient  Octagon  House,  erected  in  1798  by  Colonel  John  Tayloe,  a 
wealthy  Virginia  planter  who  acquired  a  large  amount  of  property  in 
Washington,  and  resided  in  the  city  for  a  number  of  years.  His  wife  was 
the  daughter  of  Governor  Ogle,  of  Maryland.  Tayloe  had  an  income  of 
about  ;^8o,ooo  a  year,  one-half  of  which  he  expended  in  the  purchase  of 
land  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  He  was  considered  the  wealthiest  man 
in  the  district.  He  died  in  the  Octagon  House  in  1828,  and  his  widow 
died  in  1855. 

The  Duddington  Manor-House,  on  North  Carolina  avenue  (Capitol 
Hill),  once  the  residence  of  Daniel  Carroll,  still  remains  as  a  memento  of 
the  past  age.  The  descendants  of  Carroll  have  occupied  the  house  many 
years.  It  is  a  stately  building,  arranged  somewhat  like  the  old  mansions 
of  England.  Extensive  grounds  covered  with  noble  trees  surround  the 
house. 

The  fine,  spacious  mansion  erected  in  1805  by  Joel  Barlow,  the  poet. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


317 


politician,  and  wealthy  merchant,  is  standing  on  Kalorama  Hill,  just 
beyond  the  northern  boundary  of  Washington.  Barlow  lived  here  until 
he  went  abroad  as  Minister  to  France.  He  never  returned  to  America, 
and  his  mansion  for  a  time  was  occupied  by  the  family  of  Commodore 
Decatur.  On  the  grounds  is  a  tomb  in  which  reposed  the  remains  of 
Decatur  until  they  were  removed  to  Philadelphia  in  1846.  An  illus- 
tration of  the  mansion  is  given  on  page  45. 

On  Meridian  Hill,  Joaquin  Miller  has  erected  a  log  cabin  for  his 
residence.  Here  the  poet  of  the  Sierras  performs  his  literary  work  and 
enjoys  life  after  his  own  fashion.  From  Meridian  Hill  a  charming  view 
of  the  city  of  Washington  can  be  obtained, 

Georgetown  has  a  number  of  old  mansions  once  occupied  by  families 
prominent  in  the  early  years  of  the  district.  Most  of  these  mansions 
have  spacious  grounds  filled  with  majestic  trees  and  flowering  plants. 
The  town  in  the  first  part  of  the  century  was  noted  for  its  wealthy, 
aristocratic  families,  who  lived  gayly  and  luxuriously  "  in  fine  old  English 
style."  The  opulent  planters  of  the  adjacent  region  usually  spent  the 
winter  in  the  town,  and  balls,  parties,  and  dinners  were  given  frequently 


residencp:  of  d.  r.  mckee. 


3i8 


THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


through  the  season.  The  annual  races  in  the  vicinity  of  Georgetown 
were  always  attended  by  the  prominent  people.  An  English  traveller 
wrote,  in  1803,  as  follows:  "In  November  in  each  year  there  are  horse- 
races at  the  capital  of  America.  I  happened  to  arrive  just  at  this  time, 
on  horseback,  at  Georgetown,  which  is  about  two  miles  from  the  race- 
ground,  and  at  an  early  hour  proceeded  to  the  turf.  Though  the  day 
was  raw,  cold,  and  threatening  to  rain  or  snow,  there  were  abundance 
of  ladies  decorated  as  if  for  a  ball.  In  this  year  Congress  was  summoned 
early  by  President  Jefferson  upon  the  contemplated  purchase  of  Louisiana. 
Many  scores  of  American  legislators,  who  are  allowed  six  dollars  a  day 
besides  their  travelling  expenses,  went  on  foot  from  the  Capitol,  abcfve 
four  English  miles,  to  attend  the  .sport;  nay,  it  is  an  indisputable  fact 
that  the  houses  of  Congress  adjourned  at  an  early  hour  to  indulge  the 
members  for  this  purpose.  It  rained  during  the  races,  and  thus  the  law- 
makers of  the  country  were  driven  into  the  booths,  and  thereby  compelled 
to  eat  and  pay  for  what  was  there  called  a  dinner,  while  their  contem- 
plated meal  remained  untouched  at  their  respective  boarding-houses." 

Opposite  Georgetown,  in  the  Potomac  river,  is  Analostan  Island,  where 
General  John  Mason  and  his  descendants  resided  for  more  than  half  a 
century.     The  island  is  about  seventy  acres  in  extent,  and  for  some  years 


RESIDENCES    OF    MRS.    B.    B.    FRENCH    AND    W.    S.    LINCOLN. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


319 


RESIDENCE  OF   NATHANIEL  WILSON. 


has  been  used  as  a  pleasure  resort.  General  Mason's  house,  which  was 
erected  in  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  was  destroyed  during 
the  Civil  War.  It  was  situated  on  an  eminence  fifty  feet  above  the  river, 
and  commanded  a  charming  view  of  Washington  and  all  the  surrounding 
country.  In  his  "Historical  Sketches,"  published  in  1830.  Jonathan 
Elliot  says  that  "the  house,  which  you  approach  through  a  fine  avenue 
of  trees,  is  extensive,  with  a  number  of  convenient  buildings  attached. 
Its  interior  is  finished  with  taste  and  in  a  costly  style.  The  garden  is 
kept  in  fine  order ;  ornamental  trees,  shrubs,  and  rare  plants  are  a  source 
of  attraction  to  the  botanist,  whilst  the  kitchen  garden  affords  excellent 
roots  of  the  choicest  varieties.  The  south  side  of  the  island  ^  is  substan- 
tially walled  and  dotted  with  neat  white  cottages  for  servants." 

General  Mason  was  famed  for  his  profuse  hospitality,  and  his  pictu- 
resque island  was  constantly  visited  by  the  select  society  of  Washington 
and  Georgetown.  He  entertained  many  distinguished  Europeans.  He 
was  an  ardent  agriculturalist,  and  always  kept  the  island  in  a  high  state 
of  cultivation.  Some  cotton  was  raised,  and,  among  other  things,  a 
species  of  maize  was  cultivated,  the  deep  purple  leaves  of  which  were 


320 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


1^ 


RESIDENCE   OF    DAVID    FERGUSON. 


used  as  a  dye.  Some  of  the  seeds  of  this  maize  were  carried  from  the 
island  to  France  and  presented  to  the  Empress  Josephine,  "  who  sowed 
them  with  her  own  hand  in  the  garden  of  Malmaison,  where  they  gave  a 
luxuriant  produce." 

In  i8i6  a  little  book  was  published  in  Paris  with  this  title  :  "A  Choro- 
graphical  and  Statistical  description  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  the  Seat 
of  the  General  Government  of  the  United  States."  The  book  was  written 
by  D.  B.  Warden,  and  dedicated  to  Mrs.  George  Washington  Parke  Custis. 
The  author  says  in  the  preface  that  he  had  occupied  his  leisure  hours  at 
Washington  "  in  examining  the  interesting  objects  of  that  magnificent 
situation,"  and  that  he  thought  "  a  publication  of  this  kind  is  now  called 
for  not  only  by  citizens  of  the  United  States,  but  also  by  foreigners,  who, 
from  motives  of  curiosity  or  interest,  seek  minute  information  concerning 
the  present  state  of  the  American  metropolis."  Warden's  book  was  the 
first  ever  written  about  the  District  of  Columbia,  and,  although  it  does  not 
give  much  "  minute  information"  of  value  at  this  time,  it  has  some  inter- 
esting statements. 

Warden  says :  "  About  a  mile  beyond  Georgetown,  on  the  Potomac 
river,  there  is  a  cannon  foundry  belonging  to  Mr.  Foxhall,  a  native  of 
England,  the  machinery  of  which  was  erected  by  a  Scotsman  of  the 
name  of  Glasgow.  There  are  two  boring-mills  situated  near  each  other. 
In  one,  five  cannons  are  bored  at  the  same  time ;  in  the  other,  three.    The 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


321 


Streams  which  move  the  machinery  are  small,  but  the  water  falls  to  great 
advantage  over  an  overshot  wheel  of  twenty-nine  feet  in  diameter.  By 
the  aid  of  dams,  which  receive  rain  water,  there  is  a  constant  supply 
during  the  summer.  About  thirty  workmen  are  employed,  chiefly  emi- 
grants from  Europe.  Foremen  have  two  dollars ;  moulders,  one  dollar 
and  a  half;  and  common  workmen,  two-thirds  of  a  dollar  per  day.  The 
iron  ore,  of  an  excellent  quality,  is  brought  from  the  banks  of  the 
Potomac,  near  Harper's  Ferry.  It  is  rare  that  a  gun  bursts  in  firing  it 
with  a  double  charge.  A  cannon  was  lately  cast  at  this  foundry,  of  a 
hundred  pound  ball,  to  which  was  given  the  name  of  Columbiad.  It 
requires  two  days  to  make  a  cannon,  and  two  to  bore  it.  The  price  is 
fifty  pounds  currency  per  ton.  The  profits  of  this  establishment  are  very 
considerable." 

In  describing  Georgetown,  Warden  states  that  "  the  houses,  chiefly  of 
brick,  have  a  neat  appearance.     Several  were  built  before  the  streets  were 


JOAQUIN   miller's   LOG   CABIN   ON    MERIDIAN   HILL. 

21 


^22  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

formed,  which  gave  rise  to  an  observation  from  a  French  lady,  that 
Georgetown  had  houses  without  streets,  and  Washington  streets  without 
houses."  It  is  stated  that  there  were  two  bridges  over  Rock  creek,  which 
divides  Georgetown  from  Washington,  and  that  the  one  nearest  to  its 
mouth  had  three  arches,  and  was  a  hundred  and  thirty-five  feet  in  length 
and  thirty-six  feet  in  breadth.  The  other,  at  a  distance  of  six  hundred 
and  fifty  yards,  was  supported  by  piles  two  hundred  and  eighty  feet 
long  and  eighteen  feet  wide.  There  was  a  daily  communication  between 
Georgetown  and  Alexandria  by  means  of  a  packet-boat. 

About  five  miles  from  Washington  is  the  quaint,  old-fashioned  town 
of  Bladensburg,  Maryland,  which  was  founded  in  1750,  and  named  after 
Thomas  Bladen,  who  was  governor  of  Maryland  in  1742.  Before  the 
Revolutionary  war  it  had  considerable  commerce,  and  many  vessels  laden 
with  tobacco  sailed  from  its  wharves  down  the  Anacostia.  For  a  number 
of  years  it  was  a  fashionable  summer  resort,  as  it  had  a  mineral  spring 
reputed  to  be  efficacious  in  the  cure  of  numerous  diseases,  and  throngs 
of  people  went  to  drink  of  the  water.  Near  the  town  the  British  troops 
defeated  the  Americans,  August  24,  18 14,  and  then  invaded  Washington. 
During  the  first  half  of  the  century  Bladensburg  was  noted  as  a  duelling 
ground,  and  on  its  fields  many  prominent  men  have  fought  to  satisfy  their 
*'  honor."  The  memorable  duel  between  Commodore  Decatur  and  Com- 
modore Barron  took  place  near  the  ancient  cemetery  of  the  town,  on 
March  22,  1820.  Decatur  was  fatally  wounded,  and  died  that  night  at 
his  residence  in  Washington.  For  nearly  thirty  years  no  duels  have  been 
fought  in  this  locality.  The  old  town  long  since  lost  its  commerce,  its 
thrift  and  enterprise.  It  has  a  picturesque  location,  and  is  one  of  the 
pleasant  environs  of  Washington. 


pi? 


V—  I — I- 


JLbmODDDRf 

^uyi_ 

ggg  .[!]DD^□0rIS■SS^L^f]BBBBI[i^ 

p2ini7Z]aDEi^^e®q2:]nnDrc^?3ac:iannQl 

Jr 


diQa^ 


r 


Aj_t^a^^c3  □□    □Egjcjca  J]CI5L^cii[3S"^I□□^3t:^' 
ociDalDciiniai^jLsiiac^iiajaDii^aiiiJBQa^''  £i 

CIIJZ 1%:  IZZ1I3CI1 C^  □  □ .  ,=  Cil  SBSCS^a  □  Q  D  F. ' 


■!-3. 


References  to  Map  of  Washington. 


I. 

The  Capitol. 

25- 

2. 

White  House. 

26. 

1 

J- 

Department  of  State. 

27. 

4- 

Treasury  Department. 

28. 

5- 

War  Department. 

29. 

6. 

Navy  Department. 

30- 

7- 

Patent  Office 

31- 

8. 

Post-Office  Department. 

32. 

9 

Department  of  Justice. 

lO. 

Department  of  Agriculture. 

34- 

II. 

Naval  Observatory. 

35- 

12. 

United  States  Arsenal. 

36. 

13- 

Navy  Yard. 

37- 

14. 

Marine  Corps  Barracks. 

38. 

15- 

District  Court-House. 

39- 

16. 

District  Jail. 

40. 

17- 

City  Asylum. 

41. 

18. 

Mount  Vernon  Square. 

42. 

19. 

Smithsonian  Institution. 

43- 

20. 

Washington  Monument. 

44- 

21. 

Washington  Circle. 

45- 

2^ 

Statue  of  Washington. 

46. 

23- 

Lafayette  Park. 

47- 

24. 

Corcoran  Gallery  of  Art. 

National  Botanical  Garden. 

Congressional  Cemetery. 

Naval  Hospital. 

Lincoln  Park. 

Rawlins  Square. 

Scott  Square. 

Government  Printing-Office. 

Greene  Square. 

Naval  Monument. 

Thomas  Circle. 

Judiciary  Square. 

McPherson  Square. 

Dupont  Circle. 

Iowa  Circle. 

Government  Hospital  for  Insane. 

Center  Market. 

Howard  University. 

National  Deaf-Mute  College. 

Bureau  of  Engraving  and  Printing. 

New  Pension  Building. 

Army  Medical  Museum. 

National  Museum. 

Potomac  River  Park. 


324 


L'ENFANT'S  PLAN  OF  WASHINGTON. 


HE  original  plan  of  the  city  of  Washington,  as  drawn  by  Pierre 
Charles  L'Enfant  in  1791,  is  presented  on  the  preceding  page. 
For  particulars  in  reference  to  L'Enfant,  see  page  33. 

"  Observations  explanatory  of  the  plan"  were   made   by 
L'Enfant,  as  follows : 

"  I.  The  positions  for  the  different  grand  edifices  and  for  the  several 
grand  squares  or  areas  of  different  shapes,  as  they  are  laid  down,  were 
first  determined  on  the  most  advantageous  ground,  commanding  the  most 
extensive  prospects  and  the  better  susceptible  of  such  improvements  as 
the  various  intents  of  the  several  objects  may  require^. 

"  II.  Lines  or  avenues  of  direct  communications  have  been  devised  to 
connect  the  separate  and  most  distant  objects  with  the  principal,  and  to 
preserve  through  the  whole  a  reciprocity  of  sight  at  the  same  time. 
Attention  has  been  paid  to  the  passing  of  those  leading  avenues  over  the 
most  favorable  ground  for  prospect  and  convenience. 

"  III.  North  and  South  lines,  intersected  by  others  running  due  East 
and  West,  make  the  distribution  of  the  city  into  streets,  squares,  etc.,  and 
those  lines  have  been  so  combined  as  to  meet  at  certain  given  points  with 
those  divergent  avenues,  so  as  to  form  on  the  spaces  first  determined  the 
different  squares  and  areas,  which  are  all  proportional  in  magnitude  to  the 
number  of  avenues  leading  to  them. 

"  Breadth  of  the  streets.  Every  grand  transverse  avenue,  and  every 
principal  divergent  one,  such  as  the  communication  from  the  President's 
House  to  the  Congress  House,  etc.,  are  160  feet  in  breadth,  and  are  thus 
divided  :  10  feet  of  pavement  on  each  side  ;  30  feet  of  gravel  walk,  planted 
with  trees,  on  each  side;  80  feet  in  the  middle  for  carriage  Avay.  The 
other  streets  are  of  the  following  dimensions,  viz. :  those  leading  to  public 
buildings  or  markets,  130  feet ;  others,  1 10  and  90  feet. 

"  In  order  to  execute  the  above  plan,  Mr.  Ellicott  drew  a  true  merid- 
ianal  line  by  celestial  observation,  which  passes  through  the  area  intended 
326 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  327 

for  the  Congress  House ;  this  line  he  crossed  by  another  due  East  and 
West,  which  passes  through  the  same  area.  These  Hnes  were  accurately 
measured,  and  made  the  bases  on  which  the  whole  plan  was  executed. 
He  ran  all  the  lines  by  a  transit  instrument,  and  determined  the  acute 
angles  by  actual  measurement,  and  left  nothing  to  the  uncertainty  of  the 
compass." 

L'Enfant  noted  the  following  references  to  sites,  designated  on  the 
plan  by  letters : 

"  A.  The  equestrian  figure  of  George  Washington,  a  monument  voted, 
in  1783,  by  the  late  Continental  Congress. 

"  B.  An  historic  column.  Also  intended  for  a  mile  or  itinerary  column, 
from  whose  station  (a  mile  from  the  Federal  House)  all  distances  of  places 
through  the  continent  are  to  be  calculated. 

"  C.  A  naval  itinerary  column,  proposed  to  be  erected  to  celebrate  the 
first  rise  of  a  Navy,  and  to  stand  a  ready  monument  to  consecrate  its 
progress  and  achievements. 

"  D.  This  site  is  for  a  church  intended  for  national  purposes,  such  as 
public  prayer,  thanksgivings,  funeral  orations,  etc.,  and  assigned  to  the 
special  use  of  no  particular  sect  or  denomination,  but  equally  open  to  all. 
It  will  be  likewise  shelter  for  such  monuments  as  were  voted  by  the  late 
Continental  Congress  for  those  heroes  who  fell  in  the  cause  of  liberty, 
and  for  such  others  as  may  hereafter  be  decreed  by  the  voice  of  a  grateful 
nation. 

"  E.  Five  grand  fountains,  intended  with  a  constant  spout  of  water. 
There  are  within  the  limits  of  the  city  above  25  good  springs  of  excellent 
water,  abundantly  supplied  in  the  dryest  season  of  the  year. 

"  F.  Grand  cascade  formed  of  the  water  from  the  sources  of  the  Tiber. 

"  G.  Public  walk,  being  a  square  of  1200  feet,  through  which  carriages 
may  ascend  to  the  upper  square  of  the  Federal  House. 

"  H.  Grand  avenue,  400  feet  in  width,  and  about  one  mile  in  length, 
bordered  with  gardens,  ending  in  a  slope  from  the  houses  on  each  side. 
This  avenue  leads  to  the  monument.  A,  and  connects  with  the 

"  I.   President's  Park  and  the 

"  K.  Well-improved  field,  being  a  part  of  the  walk  from  the  President's 
House,  of  about  1800  feet  in  breadth  and  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in 
length. 

"  L.  Around  this  square  and  all  along  the 

"  M.  Avenue  from  the  two  bridges  to  the  Federal  House  the  pavement 
on  each  side  will  pass  under  an  arched  way,  under  whose  cover  shops 
will  be  most  conveniently  and  agreeably  situated.  This  street  is  160  feet 
in  breadth  and  a  mile  long." 


328 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


L'Enfant  says,  "  The  squares  colored  yellow,  being  fifteen  in  number, 
are  proposed  to  be  divided  among  the  several  states  in  the  Union,  for  each 
of  them  to  improve  or  subscribe  a  sum  additional  to  the  value  of  the  land 
for  that  purpose,  and  the  improvements  around  the  squares  to  be  com- 
pleted in  a  limited  time.  The  centre  of  each  square  will  admit  of  statues, 
columns,  obelisks,  or  any  other  ornaments  such  as  the  different  states 
may  choose  to  erect  to  perpetuate  not  only  the  memory  of  such  indi- 
viduals whose  counsels  or  military  achievements  were  conspicuous  in 
giving  liberty  and  independence  to  this  country,  but  also  those  whose 
usefulness  hath  rendered  them  worthy  of  general  imitation  to  invite  the 
youth  of  succeeding  generations  to  tread  in  the  paths  of  those  sages  or 
heroes  whom  their  country  has  thought  proper  to  celebrate.  The  situation 
of  these  squares  is  such  that  they  are'the  most  advantageously  and  recip- 
rocally seen  from  each  other,  and  as  equally  distributed  over  the  whole 
city  district,  and  connected  by  spacious  avenues  round  the  grand  Federal 
improvements,  and  as  contiguous  to  them  and  at  the  same  time  as  equally 
distant  from  each  other  as  circumstances  would  admit.  The  settlements 
round  these  squares  must  soon'become  connected.  This  mode  of  taking 
possession  of  and  improving  the  whole  district  at  first  must  leave  to  pos- 
terity a  grand  idea  of  the  patriotic  interest  which  promoted  it. 

"The  squares  colored  red  are  intended  for  the  use  of  all  religious 
denominations,  on  which  they  are  to  erect  places  of  worship,  and  are 
proposed  to  be  allotted  to  them  in  the  manner  as  those  colored  yellow  to 
the  different  states  of  the  Union,  but  no  burying-ground  will  be  admitted 
within  the  limits  of  the  city,  an  appropriation  being  intended  for  that 
purpose  without.  There  are  a  number  of  squares  or  areas  unappro- 
priated, and  in  situations  proper  for  colleges  and  academies,  and  of  which 
every  society  whose  object  is  national  may  be  accommodated. 

"  Every  lot  deep-colored  red,  with  green  plots,  designates  some  of  the 
situations  which  command  the  most  agreeable  prospects,  and  which  are 
the  best  calculated  for  spacious  houses  and  gardens,  such  as  may  accom- 
modate foreign  ministers,  etc. 

"  Every  house  in  the  city  will  stand  square  on  the  streets,  and  every 
lot,  even  those  of  the  divergent  avenues,  will  run  square  with  their  fronts, 
which  on  the  most  acute  angle  will  not  measure  less  than  fifty-six  feet, 
and  many  will  be  above  one  hundred  and  forty  feet." 

The  figures  on  the  plan  refer  to  the  sites  for  the  public  buildings,  and 
to  certain  squares,  etc.,  concerning  which  some  details  were  given. 


LADIES' 
p_,    RECEPTION  ROOM 


EASTERN    LOBBY 


3 


5'  VI 

a      -t 


S-^ 


c/5  y 
5   ° 

w  ° 


n 


O'S. 


p 
p 

o 
h: 
<t 

•»> 

n 


> 

o 

in 

a 
> 

H 
O 

> 

2 

a 

5S 


WESTERN    LOBBY 


^LJ 


^rfl 


> 

< 
H 
Z 

w 

en 

Pi 
P^ 
K 


c 

°    £? 


H 

b. 
O 

< 

X 


o, 

V 

u 

o 
o 

Q 


w    Q 

H 

O 

z 

Ph 


THE    PUBLIC   SERVICE. 


HE  following  is  a  list  of  the  officials,  clerks,  and  employes  in 
the  various  departments  of  the  government,  together  with 
the  salary  attached  to  each  office.  There  are  four  classes 
of  graded  clerks.     The  clerks  of  the  first  class  have  salaries 

of  ;^I200;   of  the  second  class,  ^1400;   of  the  third  class,  ;^i6oo;   of  the 

fourth  class,  ^1800.     Ungraded  clerks  have  salaries  from  $yoo  to  ;^iooo. 

The  Cabinet  Ministers  and  the  heads  of  the  divisions  of  the  War  and 

Navy  departments  are  not  given  in  the  list. 

DEPARTMENT   OF   STATE. 

First  assistant  secretary  of  state,  ^4500;  two  assistant  secretaries  of 
state,  ;^3500  each;  chief  clerk,  ;^250o;  five  chiefs  of  bureau  and  one 
translator,  $2100  each;  twelve  clerks  of  class  4,  four  clerks  of  class  3, 
three  clerks  of  class  2,  ten  clerks  of  class  i;  four  clerks,  ^looo  each; 
ten  clerks,  ^$900  each;  one  superintendent  of  the  watch,  $iooo;  one 
assistant,  ^800;  chief  engineer,  ^1200;  assistant  engineer,  ;^iooo. 

TREASURY   DEPARTMENT. 

Secretary's  Office. — Chief  clerk  and  ex-officio  superintendent  of  the 
Treasury  building,  ^2700;  stenographer  to  the  secretary,  ^2000;  one  chief 
of  division  of  warrants,  estimates,  and  appropriations,  and  one  chief  of 
division  of  customs,  ^2750  each  ;  one  assistant  chief  of  division  of  war- 
rants, estimates,  and  appropriations,  ^2400 ;  six  chiefs  of  division,  1^2500 
each;  two  assistant  chiefs  of  division,  ^2100  each;  six  assistant  chiefs  of 
division,  ^2000  each;  two  disbursing  clerks,  ;^2500  each;  government 
actuary,  under  control  of  Treasury  Department,  $2000;  forty  clerks  of 
class  4,  twenty-five  clerks  of  class  3,  twenty-one  clerks  of  class  2,  fifteen 
clerks  of  class  i;  eleven  clerks,  ^looo  each;  fifty  female  clerks,  $(^00 
each ;  superintendent  of  the  Treasury  building,  ;^300 ;  one  captain  of  the 


0  09  THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

watch,  ;$I400;  one  engineer,  ^1400;  one  assistant  engineer,  $1000;  one 
machinist  and  gas-fitter,  ^I200;  one  storekeeper,  ;^I200. 

Supervising  Arcliitecf  s  Office. — Supervising  architect,  $4500;  assistant 
and  chief  clerk,  1^2500;  photographer,  ^2000;  one  principal  clerk,  ;^2O0O; 
two  clerks  of  class  3,  three  clerks  of  class  i  ;  one  clerk,  ^900. 

Fii'st  Comptroller" s  Office. — First  comptroller  of  the  Treasury,  ;^5000; 
deputy  comptroller,  1^2700 ;  four  chiefs  of  division,  ^2100  each  ;  five  clerks 
of  class  4,  ten  clerks  of  class  3,  ten  clerks  of  class  2,  seven  clerks  of  class 

1  ;  four  clerks,  $iOOO  each  ;  seven  clerks,  $900  each. 

Second  Comptroller's  Office. — Second  comptroller  of  the  Treasury, 
,$5000;  deputy  comptroller,  $2'joo\  five  chiefs  of  division,  ^2100  each; 
eight  clerks  of  class  4,  twelve  clerks  of  class  3,  thirteen  clerks  of 
class  2,  twelve  clerks  of  class  i;  three  clerks,  ^i 000  each;  nine  clerks, 
;^900  each. 

Commissioner  of  Customs. — Commissioner  of  customs,  34000;  deputy 
commissioner,  $2250;  two  chiefs  of  division,  ;^2iOO  each;  two  clerks  of 
class  4,  four  clerks  of  class  3,  ten  clerks  of  class  2,  nine  clerks  of  class  i  ; 
three  clerks,  ;^iooo  each. 

First  Auditor's  Office. — First  auditor  of  the  Treasury,  $3600 ;  deput\^ 
auditor,  ;$2250;  four  chiefs  of  division,  ^2000  each;  seven  clerks  of  class 
4,  nine  clerks  of  class  3,  ten  clerks  of  class  2,  sixteen  clerks  of  class  i  ; 
three  clerks,  ;$iooo  each  ;  three  copyists  and  two  counters,  ;$900  each. 

Second  Auditor's  Office. — Second  auditor,  ^3600;  deputy  auditor, 
;^2250;  five  chiefs  of  division,  $2000  each;  nine  clerks  of  class  4,  twenty- 
nine  clerks  of  class  3,  additional  to  one  clerk  of  class  3  as  disbursing 
clerk,  ;^200 ;  sixty  clerks  of  class  2,  twenty-three  clerks  of  class  i  ;  eight 
clerks,  ^looo  each;  twelve  additional  clerks  of  class  i. 

Third  Auditor  s  Office. — Third  auditor,  ^3600;  deputy  auditor,  1^2250; 
five  chiefs  of  division,  ;^2000  each  ;  six  clerks  of  class  4,  sixteen  clerks 
of  class  3,  fifty-seven  clerks  of  class  2,  forty-three  clerks  of  class  i ;  seven 
clerks,  ;^iooo  each  ;  nine  clerks,  $900  each. 

Fourth  Auditor  s  Office. — Fourth  auditor,  ;^36oo ;  deputy  auditor, 
1^2250;  three  chiefs  of  division,  ^2000  each;  two  clerks  of  class  4,  four- 
teen clerks  of  class  3,  eight  clerks  of  class  2,  nine  clerks  of  class  i ;  three 
clerks,  ;^iooo  each;  five  clerks  at  ;^900  each. 

Fifth  Auditors  Office. — Fifth  auditor,  $3600;  deputy  auditor,  ^^2250; 
two  chiefs  of  division,  $2000  each  ;  two  clerks  of  class  4,  five  clerks  of 
class  3,  four  clerks  of  class  2,  five  clerks  of  class  i  ;  two  clerks  at  $1000 
each  ;  three  clerks,  ^$900  each. 

Sixth  Auditor's  Office. — Sixth  auditor,  ;^36oo ;  chief  clerk,  ;g2000 ; 
deputy   auditor,   ;^225o;  eight   chiefs   of  division,   ^2000   each;    thirteen 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  333 

clerks  of  class  4,  and  additional  to  one  clerk  as  disbursing  clerk,  ;$200  ; 
fifty-eight  clerks  of  class  3,  sixty-nine  clerks  of  class  2,  fifty  clerks  of  class 
I  ;  thirty  clerks,  ;^iooo  each  ;  eighteen  female  assorters  of  money  orders, 
;^900  each;  one  skilled  laborer,  ^lOOO. 

Treasurer's  Office. — Treasurer  of  the  United  States,  ^6000 ;  assistant 
treasurer,  ;^36oo;  cashier,  ^3600;  assistant  cashier,  ;^3200;  chief  clerk, 
;^2500;  five  chiefs  of  division,  ^$2500  each;  one  principal  book-keeper, 
$2500;  one  assistant  book-keeper,  ^$2400 ;  two  tellers,  ^2500  each;  two 
assistant  tellers,  1^2250  each  ;  twenty-five  clerks  of  class  4,  seventeen  clerks 
of  class  3,  fifteen  clerks  of  class  2,  twenty-three  clerks  of  class  i  ;  five 
clerks,  ;^iooo  each  ;  eighty  clerks,  1^900  each. 

The  Redemption  Bureau. — Superintendent,  ;^3500;  one  principal  teller 
and  one  principal  book-keeper,  ;^2500;  one  assistant  book-keeper,  ^2400; 
and  one  assistant  teller,  ^2000 ;  two  clerks  of  class  4,  three  clerks  of  class 
3,  four  clerks  of  class  2,  twenty  clerks  of  class  i  ;  ten  clerks,  ;^IOOO  each  ; 
ten  clerks,  ;^900  each. 

Register  of  the  Treasury. — Register  of  the  Treasury,  ;^4000 ;  assistant 
register,  1^2250;  five  chiefs  of  division,  ^2000  each;  eighteen  clerks  of 
class  4,  seventeen  clerks  of  class  3,  fifteen  clerks  of  class  2,  twenty  clerks 
of  class  I  ;  four  clerks,  ^looo  each;  sixty  copyists,  $<^0Q  each. 

Comptroller  of  the  Currency. — Comptroller  of  the  currency,  ^5000; 
deputy  comptroller,  ^2800;  four  chiefs  of  division,  ;^2200  each;  one 
stenographer,  ;$i6oo;  eight  clerks  of  class  4,  eleven  clerks  of  class  3, 
eight  clerks  of  class  2,  eight  clerks  of  class  I  ;  two  clerks,  ^1000  each; 
twenty-five  clerks,  $900  each. 

Superintendent  of  Currency. — One  superintendent,  ;^2O0O ;  one  teller 
and  one  book-keeper,  $2000  each  ;  one  assistant  book-keeper,  ^2000 ; 
nine  clerks,  ^900  each. 

LigJithouse  Board. — Chief  clerk,  ;^2400;  two  clerks  of  class  4,  two 
clerks  of  class  3,  one  clerk  of  class  2,  three  clerks  of  class  i  ;  one  clerk, 
^900. 

Bureau  of  Statistics. — Officer  in  charge,  ^3000;  chief  clerk,  ^2000; 
four  clerks  of  class  4,  five  clerks  of  class  3,  five  clerks  of  class  2, 
six  clerks  of  class  i;  three  clerks,  ^lOOO  each;  five  copyists,  ^$900 
each. 

Bureau  of  Engraving  and  Printing. — Chief  of  bureau,  ;^45oo;  one 
assistant,  $2^qo\  accountant,  ^2000;  stenographer,  ;^i6oo;  one  clerk  of 
class  3,  one  clerk  of  class  2,  four  clerks  of  class  i;  one  clerk,  ;^iooo, 
three  copyists,  1^900  each. 

Office  of  Life-Saving  Service. — General  superintendent,  ^4000  ;  assist- 
ant general  superintendent,  ^2500;  one  principal  clerk  and  accountant, 


2^.  THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

;^i80O;  two  clerks  of  class  3,  one  clerk  of  class  2,  three  clerks  of  class  i  ; 
two  clerks,  ^1000  each  ;  four  clerks,  ^900  each. 

Commissioner  of  Internal  Revenue. — Commissioner  of  internal  revenue, 
^6000;  one  deputy  commissioner,  ^3200;  two  heads  of  division,  ^^2500 
each;  five  heads  of  division,  ^2250  each;  one  stenographer,  ;^i8oo; 
twenty-three  clerks  of  class  4,  twenty-six  clerks  of  class  3,  thirty-six 
clerks  of  class  2;  twenty-one  clerks  of  class  i;  thirteen  clerks,  ^looo 
each  ;  fifty  clerks,  i^poo  each. 

Assistant  Treasurer  at  Baltimore. — Assistant  treasurer,  ^^4500;  cashier, 
;^2500;  three  clerks,  ^1800  each;  two  clerks,  ^1400  each;  two  clerks, 
^1200  each. 

Assistant  Treasurer  at  Boston. — Assistant  treasurer,  ^5000;  chief  clerk, 
;^2500;  paying  teller,  ;^2500;  assistant  paying  teller,  ;$2000 ;  chief  interest 
clerk,  $2500;  receiving  teller,  ^1800;  first  book-keeper,  $\'joo\  second 
book-keeper,  depositors'  accounts,  ;^  1 500 ;  specie  clerk,  ^1500;  assistant 
specie  clerk,  1^1400;  clerk,  ;^i8oo;  two  coupon  clerks,  ;^I400  each;  two 
clerks,  ;^I200  each  ;  assistant  book-keeper,  ^800;  two  clerks,  ;^iooo  each; 
assistant  currency  redemption  clerk,  ^iioo. 

"Assistant  Treasurer  at  Chicago. — Assistant  treasurer,  ^4500  ;  cashier, 
;^2500;  paying  teller,  ;^i8oo;  book-keeper  and  receiving  teller,  ^1500 
each  ;  two  clerks,  $\20Q  each. 

Assistant  Treasurer  at  Cincinnati. — Assistant  treasurer,  $4500 ;  cashier, 
;^2000;  book-keeper,  ;$i8oo;  receiving  teller,  ^1500;  check  clerk  and 
interest  clerk,  each  ;^I200  ;  fractional  currency  and  minor  coin  clerk,  ;^iooo. 

Assistant  Treasurer  at  Nezv  Orleans. — Assistant  treasurer,  ^4000; 
cashier,  1^2250;  receiving  teller,  ;$2000;  book-keeper,  ^1500;  one  clerk, 
^1000;  and  porter,  ^900. 

Assistant  Treasurer  at  New  York. — Assistant  treasurer,  ^8000  ;  cashier 
and  chief  clerk,  ^4000;  deputy  assistant  treasurer,  ^3600;  chief  of  coin 
division,  ;$36oo;  chief  of  note  paying  division,  ;$3000;  chief  of  note  re- 
ceiving division,  ;$28oo;  chief  of  check  paying  division,  $2800;  chief  of 
registered  interest  division,  ^2600;  chief  of  coupon  interest  division, 
;^2400;  chief  of  minor  coin  division,  ^2400;  chief  of  bond  division, 
;^2250;  chief  of  cancelled  check  and  record  division,  ^2000;  two  clerks, 
^2250  each  ;  six  clerks,  ^2100  each  ;  ten  clerks,  ;^2000  each  ;  eleven  clerks, 
;gi8oo  each;  four  clerks,  j^i/ooeach;  seven  clerks,  ^1600  each;  four 
clerks,  ^1500  each;  twelve  clerks,  ;^i 400  each;  five  clerks,  ^1200  each; 
keeper  of  building,  ;^i8oo;  chief  detective,  ^1800;  two  assistant  detectives, 
^1400  each;  one  engineer,  ;^iooo. 

Assistant  Treasurer  at  PhiladelpJiia. — Assistant  treasurer,  ^4500;  cash- 
ier and   chief  clck,   1^2500 ;    book-keeper,   1^2500 ;    chief  interest   clerk, 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  .^c 

^2200;  chief  registered  interest  clerk,  $1900;  assistant  book-keeper, 
^1800;  coin  teller,  j^i/oo;  redemption  clerk,  ;^i6oo;  assistant  coupon 
clerk,  ^1600;  assistant  registered  interest  clerk,  ^1500;  assistant  cashier, 
^1400;  assistant  coin  teller,  ^1400;  receiving  teller,  1^1300 ;  assistant 
receiving  teller,  ;^I200;  superintendent  of  building,  ^iioo;  four  female 
counters,  at  ^900  each. 

Assistaiit  Treasurer  at  St.  Louis. — Assistant  treasurer,  ^4500  ;  chief 
clerk  and  teller,  1^2500;  assistant  teller,  ^1800;  book-keeper,  ^1500; 
assistant  book-keeper,  ^1200. 

Assistant  Treasurer  at  San  Francisco. — Assistant  treasurer,  ;^5500; 
cashier,  ^3000;  book-keeper,  ^2500;  one  chief  clerk,  ^2400;  assistant 
cashier,  ;S2000;  assistant  book-keeper,  ^2COO;  one  clerk,  ^1800. 

Depositary  at  Tucson. — In  addition  to  his  pay  as  postmaster,  ^1500; 
one  watchman,  ^900. 

Director  of  the  mint,  ^4500;  examiner,  $2300;  computer,  $2200;  ad- 
juster of  accounts,  ^2000;  one  clerk  of  class  3,  one  clerk  of  class  2,  two 
clerks  of  class  i  ;  one  translator,  ^1200  ;  one  copyist,  ;^900. 

Superintendent  of  mint  at  Philadelphia,  ^4500 ;  assayer,  melter  and 
refiner,  coiner  and  engraver,  ^3000  each ;  assistant  assayer,  assistant 
melter  and  refiner,  and  assistant  coiner,  ;$2000  each ;  cashier,  1^2500 ; 
chief  clerk,  ^2250;  book-keeper,  deposit  clerk  and  weigh  clerk,  ;^2000 
each  ;  one  clerk,  ^1600. 

Superintendent  of  mint  at  San  Francisco,  ^4500 ;  assayer,  melter  and 
refiner,  and  coiner,  ^3000  each  ;  chief  clerk  and  cashier,  ^2500  each  ;  four 
clerks,  ^1600  each. 

Superintendent  of  mint  at  Carson,  ;^3000 ;  assayer,  melter  and  refiner, 
and  coiner,  ^2500  each;  chief  clerk,  1^2250;  cashier,  book-keeper,  and 
weigh  clerk,  ;^2000  each  ;  voucher  clerk,  and  computing  clerk,  ^1800  each; 
assayer's  clerk,  ^1200. 

Superintendent  of  mint  at  New  Orleans,  ;^3500 ;  assayer,  melter  and 
refiner,  and  coiner,  $2500  each  ;  cashier  and  chief  clerk,  ^2000  each ; 
weigh  clerk,  deposit  clerk,  book-keeper,  and  assayer's  clerk,  ^1600 
each. 

Assayer  in  charge  of  Denver  mint,  $2500;  melter,  $2250;  assistant 
assayer,  ;^  1 400;  chief  clerk,  ^1800;  one  clerk,  ^1600;  one  clerk,  ^1400. 

Superintendent  of  the  assay  office  at  New  York,  ^$4500;  assayer  and 
melter  and  refiner,  1^3000  each;  chief  clerk,  ^2500;  weighing  clerk, 
^2500;  paying  clerk,  ^2000;  bar  clerk,  ^1800;  warrant  clerk,  ;^2250; 
two  calculating  clerks,  ^1800  each;  assistant  weigh  clerk,  ^1600;  as- 
sayer's first  assistant,  ^2250;  assayer's  second  assistant,  $2150;  assayer's 
third  assistant,  $2QOO. 


336 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


Assayer  at  Helena,  M.  T.,  $2500;  melter,  $2250;  one  clerk  of 
class  I. 

Assayer  at  Boise  City,  I.  T.,  ^2000;  one  clerk,  $1000. 

Assayer  at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  ;$I5C0;   assistant  assayer,  ;Si250. 

Assayer  at  St.  Louis,  $2500;  melter,  ;^2000 ;  one  clerk,  ;^iooo. 

Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey. — Superintendent,  $6000  ;  assistant,  ^4200 ; 
consulting  geometer,  ^4000;  disbursing  agent,  ^2500.  There  are  also 
habitually  employed  upward  of  fifty  so-called  assistants,  with  salaries 
varying  from  ^3750  to  ;^iiOO,  and  about  one  hundred  clerks,  computers, 
draughtsmen,  printers,  engravers,  etc.,  at  compensations  varying  from 
;^2000  per  year  down  to  ;^l.50  per  day. 

Revenue  Marine  Service. — Thirty-four  captains,  ^2500;  thirty-four  first 
lieutenants,  ;$i8oo;  thirty-four  second  lieutenants,  $1500;  twenty-two 
third  lieutenants,  ^1200;  twelve  cadets,  $900;  twenty-three  chief  engi- 
neers, $1800;  eighteen  assistants,  $1500;  twenty-seven  assistants,  $1200. 

Alaska  Seal  Fisheries. — One  agent,  ^3650  ;  assistant  agent,  ^$2920 ;  two 
assistant  agents,  ^2190;  travelling  expenses,  $600  each  per  annum. 

Marine  Hospital  Service. — Supervising  surgeon-general,  ;^4000 ;  sixty- 
fivecnedical  officers  with  salaries  ranging  from  I3000  down  to  ;^iooo  per 
year;  ten  clerks  with  usual  clerical  salaries. 

National  Board  of  Health. — Seven  members,  $\o  per  day;  chief  clerk, 
;^2300;  one  clerk,  ;^  1800;  two,  ;^i6oo;  two,  ;^  1200. 

Steamboat  Inspection  Service. — Supervising  inspector-general,  $3500; 
twelve  supervising  inspectors,  $3000;  two  inspectors  of  hulls,  $2200; 
fifteen  inspectors  of  hulls,  $2000 ;  two  inspectors  of  hulls,  $1600;  three 
inspectors  of  hulls,  $1500;  twelve  inspectors  of  hulls,  $1200;  one  in- 
spector of  hulls,  $900;  five  inspectors  of  hulls,  $800 ;  two  inspectors  of 
boilers,  ^2200;  sixteen  inspectors  of  boilers,  ;$2000  ;  five  inspectors  of 
boilers,  ;gi6oo;  three  inspectors  of  boilers,  ;^I500;  fourteen  inspectors  of 
boilers,  ^1200;  one  inspector  of  boilers,  ^900;  five  inspectors  of  boilers, 
;^8oo;  six  clerks,  ;^  1200;  two  clerks,  ^i 000 ;  clerk,  ^900. 

Special  Agencies  of  Customs. — Twenty  special  agents,  per  day,  ;^8  ;  dight 
special  agents,  per  day,  $(i\  sea  island  agent  in  Alaska,  ;$3650;  sea  island 
agent  in  Alaska,  1^2920;  two  sea  island  agents  in  Alaska,  $2190;  two 
isthmus  inspectors,  $2500. 

Internal  Revenue  Agencies. — Supervising  agent,  per  day,  $12  \  twenty- 
one  agents,  per  day,  $8 ;  seven  agents,  per  day,  $7 ;  six  agents,  per 
day,  $6. 

National  Bank  Examiners. — The  number  of  these  officers  is  not  regu- 
lated by  law.  The  banks  examined  pay  the  fees  for  examination.  The 
examiners  are  chosen  by  the  comptroller  of  the  currency  at  will. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPUA L.  337 

Secret  Service. — Chief,  ;^3500.  This  force  is  also  variable,  but  consists 
usually  of  about  forty  detectives  and  a  few  clerks,  paid  at  various  rates, 
according  to  time  employed  and  services  rendered. 


WAR   DEPARTMENT. 

Chief  clerk,  ^2500;  disbursing  clerk,  ;^2000 ;  stenographer,  ^1800; 
two  chiefs  of  division,  ;^2000  each  ;  five  clerks  of  class  4,  four  clerks  of 
class  3,  four  clerks  of  class  2,  twelve  clerks  of  class  I  ;   one  clerk,  ;^iOOO. 

Adjutant- General's  (9^6V.— Chief  clerk,  ;^2000;  eleven  clerks  of  class  4. 
seventeen  clerks  of  class  3,  thirty-five  clerks  of  class  2,  one  hundred  and 
fifty-one  clerks  of  class  i  ;  six  clerks,  ^lOOO  each  ;  thirty  additional  clerks 
of  class  I  ;  and  twenty-five  clerks,  ^1000  each  ;  twenty-five  clerks,  ^1000 
per  annum  each. 

Office  of  the  Inspector-General. — One  clerk  of  class  4. 

Bureau  of  Military  Justice. — Chief  clerk,  ^1800;  one  clerk  of  class  3, 
one  clerk  of  class  i. 

Signal  Office. — Two  clerks  of  class  4  and  one  clerk  of  class  i.      ^ 

Quarteriuaster-GencraV s  Office. — Chief  clerk,  ;^2000;  seven  clerks  of 
class  4,  nine  clerks  of  class  3,  twenty-four  clerks  of  class  2,  forty-eight 
clerks  of  class  i;  twenty  copyists,  ^900  each  ;  engineer,  ;^i  200;  draughts- 
man, ;^I200. 

Commissary-Generar s  Office. — Chief  clerk,  $2000;  eight  clerks  of  class 
4,  six  clerks  of  class  3,  nine  clerks  of  class  2,  one  hundred  and  six  clerks 
of  class  i;  fourteen  clerks  at  ;^iooo  each;  anatomist,  ^i6oo;  engineer, 
1^1400;  one  hundred  and  twenty  clerks,  ;^iOOO  each. 

Ordnance  Office. — Chief  clerk,  ;$2000  ;  four  clerks  of  class  4,  two  clerks 
of  class  3,  three  clerks  of  class  2,  three  clerks  of  class  i  ;  one  clerk,  ^1000 ; 
engineer  in  War  Department  building,  ^1200;  assistant  engineer,  ^^looo. 

Public  Buildings  and  Grounds. — Clerk  in  the  office  of  public  buildings 
and  grounds,  1^1400;  public  gardener,  ;^i6oo;  disbursing  officer  at  the 
Leavenworth  military  prison,  ;^I50  per  month;  clerk  in  office  of  the 
prison  quartermaster,  ^116.66  per  month. 


NAVY    DEPARTMENT. 

Chief  clerk,  ;^2500;  disbursing  clerk.  ^2000;  four  clerks  of  class  4, 
three  clerks  of  class  3  ;  stenographer,  ;^i6oo;  four  clerks  of  class  i  ;  three 
clerks,  ^1000  each. 

Bureau  of  Yards  and  Docks. — Chief  clerk,  ;^i8oo;  draughtsman,  ;^i8oo; 

22 


338 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


one  clerk  of  class  4,  one  clerk  of  class  3,  one  clerk  of  class  2,  one  clerk 
of  class  I  ;  one  clerk,  $1000. 

Bureau  of  Equipment  and  Recruiting. — Chief  clerk,  $  1 800  ;  one  clerk 
of  class  4,  one  clerk  of  class  3,  two  clerks  of  class  2,  two  clerks  of 
class  I. 

Bureau  of  Navigation. — Chief  clerk,  ;^i8oo;  one  clerk  of  class  3,  one 
clerk  of  class  2;  one  clerk,  ;^iooo. 

Bureau  of  Ordnance. — Chief  clerk,  ^1800;  draughtsman,  ;$i8oo;  one 
clerk  of  class  3,  one  clerk  of  class  2. 

Bureau  of  Construction  and  Repair. — Chief  clerk,  ;^i8oo  ;  draughtsman, 
$1800;  one  clerk  of  class  4,  one  clerk  of  class  3,  one  clerk  of  class  2^  one 
clerk  of  class  I. 

Bureau  of  Steam  Engineerijig. — Chief  clerk,  ;$  1800;  chief  draughtsman, 
;^2250;  assistant  draughtsman,  ^1600;  one  clerk  of  class  2,  one  clerk  of 
class  I  ;  one  clerk,  ^looo. 

Bureau  of  Provision  and  Clothing. — Chief  clerk,  ^1800;  one  clerk  of 
class  4,  two  clerks  of  class  3,  two  clerks  of  class  2,  three  clerks  of  class  I. 

Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery. — Chief  clerk,  $1800;  one  clerk  of 
class  3,  one  clerk  of  class  2,  one  clerk  of  class  i  ;  one  clerk,  ;^iooo. 

Judge  Advocate  General' s  Office. — One  clerk  of  class  3  ;  one  clerk, 
;^iOOO;  superintendent  of  the  building,  ^250;  engineer,  ;^  1200 ;  assistant 
engineer,  ;^iooo. 

Naval  Observatory. — Clerk,  ^1600;  three  civilian  astronomers,  ;^I500; 
instrument  maker,  ^1500. 

Hydrograplnc  Office. — Clerk,  per  month,  ^  1 20 ;  draughtsman,  per  month, 
$\<^\.^l ;  draughtsman,  per  month,  ^175  ;  draughtsman,  per  month,  ^133.33  ; 
draughtsman,  per  month,  ^120;  two  draughtsmen,  per  month,  ^108.33  ;  two 
draughtsmen,  per  month,  ;^ioo;  two  printers,  per  day,  $\\  two  engravers, 
per  day,  $6, ;  engraver,  per  day,  ;^3.50 ;  two  engravers,  per  day,  ;$3. 

Nautical  Almanac  Office. — Two  computers,  ^1600;  two  computers, 
1^1500;  three  computers,  ;^ 1 200. 

DEPARTMENT   OF   THE   INTERIOR. 

Assistant  secretary,  $3500;  chief  clerk,  ^2500,  and  ^250  additional  as 
superintendent  of  the  Patent  Office  building  ;  seven  clerks,  chiefs  of  division, 
$2000  each;  stenographer,  ^1800;  six  clerks  of  class  4,  four  clerks  of 
class  3,  four  clerks  of  class  2,  seven  clerks  of  class  i  ;  one  clerk,  ;$iooo; 
captain  of  watch,  ;^iooo;  engineer,  ;^I200;  assistant  engineer,  ^looo. 

Assistant  Attorney- General's  Office. — Law  clerk,  1^2250  ;  three  clerks  at 
;^2000  each,  and  one  clerk  at  ;gi200. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL  .^g 

General  Land-Office. — Commissioner  of  the  General  Land-Office, 
;$4000;  chief  clerk,  ^2000;  law  clerk,  ;$200o;  recorder,  ;^2000;  three 
principal  clerks,  ;^i8oo;  sixteen  clerks  of  class  4,  thirty  clerks  of  class  3, 
forty  clerks  of  class  2,  sixty-two  clerks  of  class  I  ;  thirty  clerks  at  ^lOOO 
each,  and  fifteen  copyists  at  ;^900  each;  draughtsman,  ;^i6oo;  assistant 
draughtsman,  ;^  1400 ;  ^450,000  is  appropriated  for  the  salaries  and  com- 
missions of  registers  of  land-offices  and  receivers  of  public  moneys,  not  to 
exceed  ^3450  each. 

Indian  Office. — Commissioner  of  Indian  affairs,  ^3500;  chief  clerk, 
^2000;  financial  clerk,  ^2000;  principal  book-keeper,  ^1500;  four  clerks 
of  class  4,  three  clerks  of  class  3;  stenographer,  ;^i6oo;  twelve  clerks  of 
class  2,  ten  clerks  of  class  i  ;  thirteen  clerks,  ;^ioooeach. 

Pension  Office. — Commissioner  of  Pensions,  ^5000;  first  deputy  com- 
missioner, ^3600;  deputy  commissioner,  ;^2400;  chief  clerk,  ;^2000;  med- 
ical referee,  ^2250;  forty-five  clerks  of  class  4,  seventy-five  clerks  of  class 
3,  one  hundred  clerks  of  class  2,  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  clerks  of 
class  I  ;  ten  clerks,  ^lOOO  each  ;  thirty  copyists,  ^900  each  ;  one  engineer, 
$l2QO;  twenty-nine  examiners,  ^2000  each;  twenty  clerks  of  class  3, 
twenty  clerks  of  class  2,  fifty  clerks  of  class  i. 

Patent  Office. — Commissioner  of  Patents,  1^4500;  assistant  commis- 
sioner, ;^30OO;  chief  clerk,  ^2250;  three  examiners-in-chief,  ;^3000  each; 
examiner  in  charge  of  interferences,  ;^2500;  trade-mark  examiner  and 
examiner  of  designs,  ^2400  each  ;  twenty-three  principal  examiners,  ;^2400 
each;  twenty-four  first  assistant  examiners,  ^1800  each;  twenty-four 
second  assistant  examiners,  ;^  1600  each;  twenty-four  third  assistant  ex- 
aminers, $\apo  each;  financial  clerk,  ^$2000 ;  librarian,  ^2000;  machinist, 
;^i6oo;  three  chiefs  of  division,  ^2000  each;  one  clerk  of  class  4,  five 
clerks  of  class  3,  nineteen  clerks  of  class  2,  and  forty-five  clerks  of  class 
I  ;  forty-two  permanent  clerks,  ^looo  each;  seventy  copyists,  ^^900  each; 
four  draughtsmen,  ;$ 1 200  each;  messenger  and  purchasing  clerk,  ^looo; 
skilled  laborer,  $\2QO\  five  model  attendants,  ;^iooo  each. 

Bureau  of  Education. — Commissioner  of  Education,  ^^3000 ;  chief  clerk, 
;^i8oo;  two  clerks  of  class  4;  statistician,  ^1800;  one  clerk  of  class  3; 
translator,  ;^i6oo;  two  clerks  of  class  2,  two  clerks  of  class  i. 

Auditor  of  Railroad  Accounts. — Commissioner  of  Railroads,  ;^4500; 
book-keeper,  ^2400 ;  assistant  book-keeper,  ;^2O0O ;  railroad  engineer, 
^2500;  one  clerk,  ^1400. 

Surveyors-General. — Surveyor-general  of  California,  ^2750;  Colorado, 
New  Mexico,  Idaho,  Nevada,  Oregon,  Washington  Territory,  Montana, 
Utah,  Wyoming,  Arizona,  ;^2500  each;  Minnesota,  Dakota,  Nebraska,  and 
Iowa,  $20QiO  each  ;   Louisiana  and  Florida,  $\Zoo  each. 


^.Q  THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

POST-OFFICE    DEPARTMENT. 

Chief  clerk,  ;^2200;  stenographer,  ^1800 ;  appointment  clerk,  ^1800; 
law  clerk,  1^2250 ;  three  clerks  of  class  i  ;  one  messenger,  $\2<X)\  topog- 
rapher, ^2500;  one  clerk  of  class  3  ;  one  clerk,  ^lOOO. 

First  assistant  postmaster-general,  ;^4000 ;  chief  clerk,  $2000;  three 
clerks  of  class  4,  fifteen  clerks  of  class  3,  six  clerks  of  class  2,  twelve 
clerks  of  class  i;  four  clerks,  ;^iooo  each;  superintendent  of  blank 
agency,  ^1800;  assistant  superintendent  of  blank  agency,  ^1600;  four 
assistants  to  superintendent  of  blank  agency,  ^1200  each;  two  assistants 
to  superintendent  of  blank  agency,  ^900  each;  one  clerk,  ^looo;  super- 
intendent of  free  delivery,  ^2100;  one  clerk  of  class  2. 

Second  assistant  postmaster-general,  ;^4000;  chief  clerk,  ^2000;  chief 
of  division  of  inspection,  ^2000;  superintendent  of  railway  adjustment, 
;^2000;  eight  clerks  of  class  4,  thirty  clerks  of  class  3,  sixteen  clerks  of 
class  2,  thirteen  clerks  of  class  i  ;  nine  clerks,  ^1000  each. 

Third  assistant  postmaster-general,  ^4000;  chief  clerk,  ^$2000;  chief 
of  division  of  dead  letters,  ;^2250;  chief  of  division  of  postage  stamps, 
;^2250;  seven  clerks  of  class  4,  eighteen  clerks  of  class  3,  twenty-eight 
clerks  of  class  2,  thirty-seven  clerks  of  class  i  ;  six  clerks,  ^looo  each; 
ten  female  clerks,  ^1200  each;  forty-seven  female  clerks,  ;$900  each. 

Superintendent  of  foreign  mails,  ^3000 ;  chief  clerk,  ^2000  ;  one  clerk 
of  class  4,  three  clerks  of  class  3,  one  clerk  of  class  2,  one  clerk  of  class 
I  ;  two  clerks  at  ;^iOOO  each. 

Superintendent  of  the  money-order  system,  ^3000 ;  chief  clerk,  ;^2000 ; 
five  clerks  of  class  4,  seven  clerks  of  class  3,  five  clerks  of  class  2,  nine 
clerks  of  class  i  ;  one  clerk  at  ;^iOOO;  five  clerks  at  ^900  each. 

Chief  of  division  of  mail  depredations,  ^2250;  one  clerk  of  class  3, 
one  clerk  of  class  2,  three  clerks  of  class  i  ;  one  clerk,  ^lOOO. 

Disbursing  clerk  and  superintendent,  $2100  \  one  clerk  of  class  2; 
one  clerk  of  class  i  ;  engineer,  $1400;  assistant  engineer,  ;^iooo;  carpen- 
ter, ;^I200;  assistant  carpenter,  ^lOOO;  captain  of  the  watch,  ;^iooo. 

Inspection  Service. — Nine  inspectors,  ^2500;  nine  inspectors,  ^1600 
and  ^5  per  day  for  expenses  ;  six  inspectors,  ;^i6oo  and  $^  per  day  for 
expenses;  eighteen  inspectors.  ^^[500  and  $\  per  day  for  expenses;  seven 
inspectors,  ;^I200  and  $a^  per  day  for  expenses  ;  four  inspectors,  ;^I400  and 
$/^  per  day  for  expenses;  inspector,  ;^I400;  inspector,  ;^I200. 

Railway  Mail  Service. — General  superintendent,  $3500  ;  nine  assistants, 
1^2500;  assistant  superintendent,  ;^i6oo  and  $A,  per  day  for  expenses; 
assistant  superintendent,  ;^I500  and  ^4  per  day  for  expenses;  assistant 
superintendent,  ^1200  and  ^5   per  day   for  expenses;   assistant    superin- 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


341 


tendent,  ;^I200  and  $^  per  day  for  expenses;  seventy-two  route  agents, 
;^iooo;  three  route  agents,  ;^98o;  forty-nine  route  agents,  $^60  \  eighty- 
five  route  agents,  1^940;  twenty-six  route  agents,  ^920;  eight  hundred 
and  ninety-four  route  agents,  ^900;  forty-one  railway  postal  clerks,  ^1400; 
three  hundred  and  fifty-six  railway  postal  clerks,  ;^I300;  four  hundred  and 
forty-three  railway  postal  clerks,  $i  150;  one  hundred  and  seventy-eight 
railway  postal  clerks,  ^lOOO;  sixty-nine  postal  clerks,  ^900. 

Supply  Service. — Three  distributing  agents  for  stamped  envelopes, 
postage  stamps,  and  postal'  cards,  ;^2500;  fifteen  clerks,  ^1000  to  $1800; 
delete  clerk,  ^1800. 

DEPARTMENT   OF   JUSTICE. 

Solicitor- general,  ;^7000;  three  assistant  attorneys-general,  ;^5000 
each ;  assistant  attorney-general  of  the  Post-Office  Department,  1^4000 ; 
solicitor  of  the  internal  revenue,  ^4500;  examiner  of  claims,  ^3500;  law 
clerk  and  examiner  of  titles,  ;^2700  ;  chief  clerk,  $2200  ;  stenographic 
clerk,  ;^i8oo;  one  law  clerk,  ;$2000;  five  clerks  of  class  4,  one  clerk  of 
class  2,  two  clerks  of  class  i,  five  copyists;  telegraph  operator,  ^looo; 
solicitor  of  the  Treasury,  ;^4500 ;  assistant  solicitor,  ^3000 ;  chief  clerk, 
;g2000;  four  clerks  of  class  4,  three  clerks  of  class  3,  two  clerks  of  class 
2,  two  clerks  of  class  i. 

Court  of  Claims. — Five  judges,  ^4500  each  ;  chief  clerk,  ^3000 ;  as- 
sistant clerk,  ;^2000;  bailiff,  ;^I500. 

Court  of  Alabama  Claims. — Counsel,  ;$8ooo;  three  judges,  $6000  each  ; 
assistant  counsel,  ^3500;  insurance  expert,  ;^3500;  clerk  of  court,  ;^3000 ; 
disbursing  agent,  ^2000 ;  clerk,  ^2000. 

DEPARTMENT   OF   AGRICULTURE. 

Commissioner,  1^3500  ;  chief  clerk,  ^2000 ;  entomologist,  ^2000 ;  chem- 
ist, ^3000  ;  two  assistants,  ^1200  and  ;$i6oo;  statistician,  ;^2000 ;  super- 
intendent of  gardens,  ;$2000 ;  superintendent  of  seed  division,  ^1800; 
botanist,  ;^i8oo;  microscopist,  ;^i8oo;  six  clerks,  ;^i8oo;  four,  $\6oo\ 
six,  ;^I400;  six,  ;^I200;  five,  ^1000;  superintendent  of  folding-room, 
;$I200;  lady  superintendent  of  seed-room,  ;^900 ;  engineer,  ^1200. 

GOVERNMENT   PRINTING-OFFICE. 

Public  printer,  ;^4500;  chief  clerk,  ;^2400  ;  foreman  of  printing,  ;^2ioo; 
foreman  of  binding,  ;$2IOO;  three  clerks  of  class  4,  each  ^1800;  one 
clerk  of  class  2,  ;^I400;  three  clerks  of  class  i,  each  ;^I200;  nine  assistant 


-^2  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

foremen,  each  ;^i8oo;  two  assistant  foremen,  each  ^^1650;  five  assistant 
foremen,  each  ;$I200;  engineer  and  two  assistants,  each  ^1300.  About 
twenty-five  hundred  printers,  binders,  and  other  employes  are  engaged  in 
this  office. 

DIPLOMATIC   AND    CONSULAR   SERVICE. 

Envoys  extraordinary  and   ministers  plenipotentiary  to  Great  Britain, 
France,  Germany,  and   Russia,  1^17,500  each;  envoys  extraordinary  and 
ministers  plenipotentiary  to  Spain,  Austria,  Italy,  Brazil,  Mexico,  Japan, 
and  China,  ;^I2,000  each  ;  envoys  extraordinary  and  ministers  plenipoten- 
tiary to    Chili   and    Peru,   ^10,000   each;    ministers   resident  at  Belgium, 
Netherlands,  Sweden  and  Norway,  Turkey,  Venezuela,  Hawaiian  Islands, 
Argentine   Republic,  and   the  United   States   of  Colombia,  ^7500  each; 
minister  resident  and  consul-general  at  Bolivia,  $5000;  ministers  resident 
accredited  to  Guatemala,  Costa  Rica,  Honduras,  Salvador,  and  Nicaragua, 
;^io,ooo   each  ;    minister    resident    and   consul-general   to    Hayti,   ^7500; 
minister  resident  and  consul-general  to  Liberia,  ^4000;   charges  d'affaires 
to   Portugal,  Denmark,  Paraguay  and  Uruguay,  and  Switzerland,   ;^5000 
each  ;  secretaries  to  the  legations  at  London,  Paris,  Berlin,  and  St.  Peters- 
burg, $2625  each;  secretary  to  the  legation  at  Japan,  $2500;  secretaries 
of  legations  at   Austria,  Brazil,   Italy,    Mexico,  and   Spain,  ;^i8oo  each; 
second  secretaries  to  the  legations  at  Great  Britain,  France,  and  Germany, 
^2000  each  ;  clerk  to  the  legation  at  Spain,  ;gi200;  clerk  to  the  legation 
in  Central  America.  ;$iooo;  secretary  to- the  legation,  acting  also  as  inter- 
preter,  at  China,  ;^5000 ;  interpreter  to  the  legation   at  Turkey,  ^3000; 
interpreter  to  the  legation  at  Japan,  ;^3500;  agent  and  consul-general  at 
Cairo,  $4000;  charge   d'affaires  and   consul-general   of  the  United  States 
in    Roumania,  at  Bucharest,   ;$4000 ;    consuls-general    at   London,   Paris, 
Havana,  and  Rio  de  Janeiro,  each  ;$6ooo ;   consuls-general  at  Calcutta  and 
Shanghai,  each  ^5000;  consul-general  at  Melbourne,  $4500;  consul-gen- 
eral at  Kanagawa  and   Montreal,  each   ;^4000;  consul-general  at  Berlin, 
;^4000;   consuls-general  at  Vienna,  Frankfort,  Rome,  Constantinople,  and 
Halifax,  each  ;^3000  ;  consuls-general  at  St.  Petersburg  and  Mexico,  each 
^2000  ;  consul  at  Liverpool,  $6000  ;  consul  at  Hong  Kong,  ;^4000;   Hono- 
lulu, $4000  ;   Foo-Chow,  Hankow,  Canton,  Amoy,  Tien-Tsin,  Chin-Kiang, 
and   Ningpo,  China,  and  Callao,  Peru,  ^3500  each;   Manchester,  Glasgow, 
Bradford,  Demare,  and  Belfast,  Great  Britain ;   Havre,  France ;   Matanzas, 
Spain  ;  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico  ;   Panama,  Colon,  Aspinwall,  United   States  of 
Colombia,  Buenos   Ayres,  Argentine   Republic;  Tripoli,  Tunis,  and  Tan- 
gier, Barbary  States  ;  Magaski,  Osaka,  and  Hiogo,  Japan  ;  Bangkok,  Siam, 


THE  NATIONAL    CAPITAL.  ^., 

and  Valparaiso,  Chili,  ^3000  each;  Singapore,  Tunstall,  Birmingham, 
Sheffield,  Dundee,  Nottingham,  Marseilles,  Bordeaux,  Lyons,  Cienfuegos, 
Santiago  de  Cuba,  Antwerp,  Brussels,  St.  Thomas,  Hamburg,  Bremen,  and 
Dresden,  ;^2500  each  ;  Cork,  Dublin,  Leeds,  Leith,  Toronto,  Hamilton,  St. 
John,  New  Brunswick  ;  Kingston,  Jamaica;  Coaticook,  Nassau,  New  Provi- 
dence ;  Cardiff,  Port  Louis,  Mauritius;  Sydney,  New  South  Wales;  San 
Juan,  Porto  Rico;  Lisbon,  Rotterdam,  Odessa,  Sonneburg,  Nuremberg, 
Barmen,  Cologne,  Chemnitz,  Leipsic,  Crefeld,  Trieste,  Prague,  Ba^le,  Zurich, 
Acapulco,  Matamoras,  Pernambuco,  Tamatave,  Apia,  Maracaibo,  Monte- 
video, and  Beirut,  Smyrna,  ^2000  each ;  Bristol,  Newcastle,  Auckland, 
Gibraltar,  Cape  Town,  St.  Helena,  Charlottetown,  Prince  Edward  Island ; 
Port  Stanley,  Clifton,  Pictou,  Winnepeg,  Mahe,  Kingston,  Canada;  Pres- 
cott,  Port  Sarnia,  Quebec,  St.  Johns,  Canada;  Barbadoes,  Bermuda,  Fort 
Erie,  Goderich,  Canada  West ;  Windsor,  Canada  West ;  Southampton, 
Ottawa,  Ceylon,  Nice,  Martinique,  Guadeloupe,  Cadiz,  Malaga,  Barcelona, 
Fayal,  Azores ;  Funchal,  Verviers,  Liege,  Munich,  Stuttgart,  Mannheim, 
Aix-la-Chapelle,  Amsterdam,  Copenhagen,  Geneva,  Genoa,  Naples,  Leg- 
horn, Florence,  Palermo,  Messina,  Jerusalem,  Tampico,  Laguayra,  Puerto 
Cabello,  Bahia,  Para,  Manila,  San  Domingo,  and  Guayaquil,  1^1500  each; 
Gaspe  Basin,  Windsor,  Nova  Scotia;  Bombay,  Sierra  Leone,  Turk's  Island, 
Stettin,  Nantes,  Algiers,  Venice,  Cape  Haytien,  Sabanilla,  Batavia,  Rio 
Grande  del  Sul,  Ruatan  and  Truxillo,  Mozambique,  Guaymas,  Nuevo 
Laredo,  Piedras  Negras,  Zanzibar,  Santiago,  Cape  Verde  Islands ;  Tahiti, 
and  Talcahuano,  ^lOOO  each. 

Commercial  agents  at  St.  Paul  de  Loando,  Levuka,  and  San  Juan  del 
Norte,  ^1000  each;  interpreters:  at  Shanghai,  ^2000;  at  Tien-Tsin,  Foo 
Chow,  and  Kanagawa,  ^1500  each  ;  interpreters  to  the  consulates  at  Han- 
kow, Amoy,  Canton,  and  Hong  Kong,  ^^750  each  ;  interpreters  to  twelve 
other  consulates  at  China,  Japan,  and  Siam,  ^500  each. 

DISTRICT   OF   COLUMBIA   GOVERNMENT. 

Two  commissioners,  ^5000  (the  engineer  commissioner  is  detailed 
from  the  army);  secretary  to  commissioners,  ^2160;  clerk,  ^1500;  clerk, 
$\dpo\  clerk,  $900;  auditor  and  comptroller,  ;$3000;  book-keeper,  ^1800; 
clerk,  ;^iooo;  three  clerks,  ^1400;  two  clerks,  ;^I200;  clerk,  ^900;  clerk 
of  special  assessments,  ^1800;  clerk,  ;^I400;  clerk,  $1000;  two  clerks  of 
sinking  fund,  $1200;  coroner,  ;^i8oo;  collector  of  taxes,  ^$4000;  clerk, 
;^i8oo;  clerk,  ^1400;  clerk,  ^1200;  attorney,  ;^5000;  assistant,  ;^  1900 ; 
special  assistant,  1^960;  clerk,  ^960;  treasurer  and  assessor,  ;$3000;  assist- 
ant, ^1800;   clerk,  ^1600;    two  clerks,  ^1400;  six  clerks,  $1200;  clerk. 


^..  THE    NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 

;^900;  inspector  of  buildings,  ^2400;  assistant,  i^i/oo;  assistant,  ^lOOO; 
inspector  of  gas  and  meters,  ^2000;  assistant,  ^looo;  two  clerks  of  assess- 
ment, $1200;    chief  clerk  engineer's  office,  i^iQOO;  clerk,  $1600;    clerk, 
$\^00\    clerk,    ;^I200;    two   clerks,    ^900;    computing    engineer,    $2400; 
draughtsman,  ^looo;  three  levellers,  $\^QO  to  ^1600;  inspector  of  pave- 
ments, ^2400;    inspector,  $1500;  two  inspectors,  $1200;  superintendent 
of  property,  ;^ 1 800;  clerk,  ^1200;  superintendent  of  streets,  $2000;  three 
supervisors  of  roads,  ^900;    health    officer,  1^3000;    plumbing  inspector, 
^1500;  six  sanitary  inspectors,  ^1200;  two  food  inspectors,  ;$I200;  pound 
master,  ;^I200;    clerks  (number  and   salary  fixed  by  the  health  officer), 
^7000  ;  superintendent  of  public  schools,  ;^2700  ;  superintendent  of  colored 
schools,  ^2250;  four  hundred  and  two  school-teachers,  ;^250  to  ^1650; 
eight  school  janitors,  ^32  to  ;^I270;  superintendent  of  police,  ;$26iO;  in- 
spector,  ;^i8oo;    property    clerk,    ;$i8oo;    clerk,    $1500;    six    detectives, 
;^I320;  ten  lieutenants,  ^1200;  twenty  sergeants,  ;$i  140 ;  seven  sergeants, 
^1080;  one  hundred  and  twenty  policemen,  ;^  1080 ;  seventy-three  police- 
men, ^900;  chief  engineer  fire  department,  ;^i8oo;  assistant,  $1400;  su- 
perintendent   fire    alarm,  $1500;    two    operators,  ^1200;    eight  foremen, 
$1000;  six  engineers,  ;^iOOO;  police  justice,  ^3000;  clerk  of  police  court, 
^2000;  deputy,  i^iooo;  superintendent  of  parking,  ^1200;  market  master, 
$1650;  market  master,  ;$I500;  intendant  of  poor-house,  $1000  ;  physician, 
|5i200;  water  registrar,  ^2400;  two  clerks,  ^$1440  and  $1200  ;  book-keeper, 
;$I500;  inspector  and    tapper,  ;^I440;    superintendent   of  reform    school, 
^1500;  assistant,  ;^iOOO;    warden  of  jail,  $1800;    deputy,  ;gi200;    clerk, 
^1200;    physician,   ^1200;    guards,   ^1000;    engineer,    ^1400;    assistant, 
;^I200;  superintendent  of  insane  asylum,  ;$2o8.33  per  month;  chief  clerk, 
;$  108.33 ;  surgeon    freedmen's    hospital,    ^166.66    per    month;    executive 
officer,  $\  16.66  per  month. 

The  clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court,  the  district  attorney,  marshal,  register 
of  wills,  and  recorder  of  deeds  are  compensated  by  fees.  In  addition 
there  are  connected  with  the  district  courts  deputy  clerks,  marshals, 
bailiffs,  etc.,  whose  salaries  vary  from  ^2500  to  ^500. 


TERRITORIAL    GOVERNMENT. 

Governor  of  Arizona,  $2600;  chief-justice  and  two  associate  judges, 
$3000  each;  secretary,  ;^i8oo;  interpreter  and  translator  in  the  executive 
office,  ^500. 

Governor  of  Dakota,  ;^26oo;  chief-justice  and  three  associate  judges, 
^3000  each;  secretary,  $1800. 


THE   NATIONAL    CAPITAL. 


345 


Governor  of  Idaho,  ^2600  ;  chief-justice  and  two  associate  judges, 
;^3000  each  ;  secretary,  ^1800. 

Governor  of  Montana,  ;$26oo ;  chief-justice  and  two  associate  judges, 
^3000  each  ;  secretary,  $  1 800. 

Governor  of  New  Mexico,  ;^26oo;  chief-justice  and  two  associate 
judges,  ;^3000  each;  secretary,  ;^  1800 ;  interpreter  and  translator  in  the 
executive  office,  ;$500. 

Governor  of  Utah,  ^2600;  chief-justice  and  two  associate  judges, 
;^3000  each;  secretary,  ;^i8oo. 

Governor  of  Washington  Territory,  ;^26oo;  chief-justice  and  two 
associate  judges,  ;^3000  each;  secretary,  ^1800. 

Governor  of  Wyoming,  ^2600  ;  chief-justice  and  two  associate  judges, 
;^ 3000  each  ;  secretary,  ;^  1800. 


I  NDEX. 


A. 

Act  establishing  Seat  of  Government,  24. 

Agricultural  Department,  190. 

Alexandria,  29. 

Amount  paid  for  Pensions,  192. 

Analostan  Island,  318. 

Ancient  Hotels,  54. 

Apportionment  of  Representatives  (Congress), 

152. 
Arlington,  195. 

Military  Cemetery,  208. 

Mansion,  206. 
Army  of  the  United  States,  172. 

Lieut.-General  of,  173. 

Generals  of,  172. 

Pay  of  Officers  of,  172,  173. 

Medical  Museum,  230. 
Assassination  of  President  Lincoln,  63. 

Garfield,  224. 

B. 

Beautiful  Homes,  297-321. 
Bellhaven,  Town  of,  29. 
Benevolent  Institutions,  222. 
Bladensburg,  322. 
Battle  of,  56. 
Board  of  Public  Works,  68. 
Botanical  Garden,  114.. 
British  Invasion,  55. 
Brumidi's  Allegorical  Painting,  117. 


Bureau  of  Education,  237. 

Engraving  and  Printing,  186. 

Indian  Affairs,  237. 
Burning  of  the  Capitol,  56. 

White  House,  160. 

Patent  Models,  54. 
Burns,  David,  42. 

Marcia,  42. 

C. 

Capitol,  The,  Design  of,  91. 

Laying  Corner-stone  of,  94,  100. 
Architects  of,  93,  97,  99,  100,  loi. 
Description  of,  103-126. 
Burning  of,  56. 
Cost  of,  99,  126. 

Statuary  of,  105,  106,  112,  123,  146,  147. 
Do    e  of,  108. 

Paintings  in,  118,  146,  147,  148. 
Rotunda  of,  117. 
Bronze  Doors  of,  107. 
Grand  Portico  of,  105. 
History  of,  91-101. 
Extensions  of,  100,  144. 
Statuary  Hall  of,  122. 
Document  Rooms  of,  124. 
Basement  Story  of,  125. 
Grounds  of,  1 1 4. 
Carroll,  Daniel,  32,  44. 
CarroUsburg,  Hamlet  of,  41. 

347 


548 


INDEX. 


Chief-Justices,  140. 

Christ  Church,  Alexandria,  30. 

Washington,  286. 
Churches,  78,  286. 
Civil  Service  Law,  176. 
Cleveland,  Grover,  Inauguration  of,  271. 
Colored  Population,  292 

Columbia  Institution  for  Deaf  and  Dumb,  219. 
Columbian  University,  215. 
Compensation  of  Congressmen,  153. 
Congress,  144-155. 

Cost  of,  153. 

Library  of,  128. 

Officials  of,  153. 

Reporters  of,  154,  155. 
Congressional  Cemetery,  226,  287. 

Record,  155. 
Copyright  Laws,  132. 
Corcoran,  William  W.,  214. 

Gallery  of  Art,  211. 
Custis  Family,  196. 


D. 

Davidson,  Samuel,  44. 

Dead-Letter  Office,  192. 

Death  of  Washington  (Lear's  account  of),  248. 

Defences  of  city  of  Washington  during  Civil 

War,  60. 
Department  of  Agriculture,  190. 

the  Interior,  176. 

Justice,  176. 

State,  170. 
Diplomatic  and  Consular  Service,  170. 
District  of  Columbia,  Area  of,  70. 

Original  Landholders  of,  39. 

First  Commissioners  of,  32. 

Early  Settlers  of,  28. 

Government  of,  53,  79. 
District  Court-House,  226. 
Duddington  Manor-House,  316. 
Dupont  Circle,  77. 


E. 

Early  Years  of  city  of  Washington,  51. 

Early's  Raid  on  Washington,  62. 

Education,  Bureau  of,  237. 

Ellicolt,  Andrew,  34. 

Emancipation  in  District  of  Columbia,  292. 

Examinations  under  Civil  Service  Law,  179. 

Executive  Departments,  168. 


Farragut  Square,  75. 
Fleet,  Henry,  28. 
Foreign  Legations,  170. 
Franklin  Park,  74. 
Funeral  of  Washington,  253. 
Funkstown,  Hamlet  of,  41. 


G. 

Garfield  Memorial  Tablet,  224. 

Church,  291. 
General  Land-Office,  234. 
Georgetown,  30,  317. 

College,  30. 
Government  Employes,  176. 

Hospital  for  Insane,  216. 

Printing-Office,  194. 

Sales  of  Lots,  47. 
Grand  Opera  House,  232. 
Grave  of  John  Howard  Payne,  218. 
Greene  Square,  77. 
Greenough's  Statue  of  Washington,  no. 


H. 

Hall  of  House  of  Representatives,  146. 

Hamburg,  Hamlet  of,  41. 

Heirs  to  Mount  Vernon,  262,  264. 


INDEX. 


349 


Historical  Houses,  314. 

Paintings  in  Capitol,  118. 
Hoban,  James,  147,  160. 
How  to  obtain  Government  Clerkships,  178. 
Howard  University,  217. 


Improvement  of  city  of  Washington,  68. 
Inauguration  of  Presidents,  266. 
Inauguration  Bails,  282. 
Infantry  Building,  232. 
Interior,  Department  of  the,  176. 
Iowa  Circle,  77. 


Jail  of  District  of  Columbia,  233. 

Judiciary  Square,  77, 

Justices  of  Supreme  Court,  138. 

L. 

Lafayette  Park,  74. 

Lafayette's  Visit  to  city  of  Washington,  58. 

Land-Office,  234. 

Law  Library  of  Government,  130.^ 

Lee,  Robert  E.,  202. 

L' Enfant,  Pierre  Charles,  2,2,- 

Librarians  of  Congress,  128,  130. 

Library  of  Congress,  128. 

Life  of  Washington,  243. 

Lincoln  Park,  74. 

List  of  Government  Officials  and  Clerks,  331. 

Long  Bridge,  60. 

Louise  Home,  215. 


M. 

Mace,  The,  in   House  of  Representatives,  146. 

Mall,  The,  72. 

Marble  Room,  Senate,  145. 


Markets,  78. 

Marshall,  John,  141. 

Masons,  225. 

Mayors  of  Washington,  225. 

McPherson  Square,  75. 

Medical  Museum,  230. 

Library,  231. 
Members  of  Congress,  150. 
Mount  Vernon,  239. 


N. 

National  Botanical  Garden,  114. 

Deaf-Mute  College,  219. 

Military  Cemetery,  208. 

Museum,  193. 

Rifles'  Armory,  232. 
Naval  Force,  174. 

Monument,  1 14. 

Observatory,  190. 
Navy  Department,  173. 

Admiral  of  the,  174. 

Pay  of  Officers  of  the,  174. 

Yard,  233. 


O. 

Oak  Hill  Cemetery,  226. 
Octagon  House,  316. 
Odd  Fellows,  238. 
Officers  of  the  Senate,  153. 

House  of  Representatives,  154. 
Old  Capitol  Prison,  149. 

Hall  of  Representatives,  122,  150. 

Senate  Chamber,  137,  150. 
Ordnance  Museum,  238. 


Packing  Seeds  (Dept.  of  Agriculture),  191. 

Parks,  74. 

Patent  Office,  192. 


350 

Pennsylvania  Avenue,  72, 

Pension  Office,  192. 

Pensioners,  192. 

Plan  of  city  of  Washington,  326. 

Poem,  "  Bivouac  of  the  Dead,"  209. 

Population  city  of  Washington,  52,  60,  70. 

Post-Office  Department,  176. 

President's  Cabinet,  The,  168. 

Printing  Government  Notes,  186. 

Property  of  George  Washington,  256. 

Public  Buildings,  First  erection  of,  48. 

Lands,  234. 

Markets,  78. 

Service,  The,  331. 

Schools,  78. 


INDEX. 


Quarters  of  city  of  Washington,  71. 


R. 


Rawlins  Square,  77. 

Redemption  Bureau  of  Treasury,  iJ 

Review  of  Union  Army,  66. 


Scott  Square,  75. 

Selection  of  Permanent  Seat  of  Government, 

17-26. 
Senate  Chamber,  144. 
Shepherd,  Alexander  R.,  68. 
Signal  Office,  191. 
Smith,  Captain  John,  28. 
Smithsonian  Institution,  192. 
Soldiers'  Home,  189. 
Speculations  in  Lands,  47. 
Squares  and  Circles,  74. 
St.  EUzabeth  Asylum,  216. 
State,  War,  and  Navy  Building,  168. 
State,  Department  of,  170. 


Statue  of  Farragut,  75. 

Greene,  77. 

Jackson,  74. 

Lincoln,  74,  124. 

Luther,  229. 

Marshall,  112. 

McPherson,  75. 

Rawlins,  77. 

Scott,  75. 

Thomas,  77. 

Washington,  77,  no,  124. 
Streets  and  Avenues,  71,  72. 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  137. 
Suter"s  Tavern,  34. 


T. 

Thomas  Circle,  77. 
Tomb  of  Washington,  242. 
Treasury  Depariment,  174. 
Trumbull's  Paintings,  118 


Van  Ness,  John  P.,  42. 
Marcia,  42. 
Mansion,  315. 


W. 

Walker,  George,  44. 

War  Department,  172. 

Washington,  Government  of,  53,  79,  225. 

Incorporation  of,  53. 

Quarters  of,  71. 

Location  of,  70. 

Improvement  of,  68. 

Early  social  life  of,  55,  59. 

Early's  Raid  on,  62. 

Invasion  of,  55. 

When  Government  took  possession  of,  51. 

In  1800,  49. 


INDEX. 


351 


Washington,  Plan  of,  2,2)- 

Lafayette's  Visit  to,  58. 

Defences  of,  60. 

Population  of,  52,  60,  70. 

Monument,  81-90 

Circle,  77. 
Weather  Bureau,  191. 
West  End  of  city  of  Washington,  307. 
White  House,  157. 

Cost  of,  159,  162,  166. 

Laying  Corner-stone  of,  158. 


White  House,  Burning  of,  160. 

Architect  of,  157,  160. 

Rooms  of,  164. 

State  Dinners  at,  165. 

Attaches  of,  166. 
Will  of  George  Washington,  257. 


Y. 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  233. 
Young,  Notley,  44. 


U.  C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


CDSfi3m733 


